The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

the vibe

West Coast Premiere The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Composer Joby Talbot • Librettist Gene Scheer Reorchestration by Ben Foskett Chamber Orchestration Commissioned by Opera Parallèle Presented in collaboration with YBCA What remains when everything else is taken away? A single blink opens a world of memory, imagination, and connection. Following the acclaimed success of Everest , Opera Parallèle reunites with composer Joby Talbot and librettist Gene Scheer for the West Coast premiere of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly . Based on the extraordinary true story of French journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby, this profoundly moving opera follows a man whose body is paralyzed but whose inner life remains boundless. Communicating by blinking one eye, Bauby finds a way to share his story—and reclaim his voice. A new chamber orchestration by Ben Foskett draws audiences closer to Bauby’s world, where memories take flight and human connection breaks through isolation. Nicole Paiement conducts, with direction and concept design by Brian Staufenbiel. An internationally acclaimed cast features Jarrett Porter alongside Sasha Cooke and Richard Croft, returning to the roles they created, in this profoundly moving opera that is a testament to resilience, imagination, and the enduring power of human connection.