Join Decoda for the premiere of 9131: A Sing Sing Opera.

9131 is a new opera by Joseph Wilson, a composer currently incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. A composition over ten years in the creation, Decoda will produce a workshop premiere of the opera at Carnegie Hall for an invited audience.

9131 tells the story of Hunter, an incarcerated person who is struggling to find the will to continue to fight for his freedom as he approaches his parole board hearing. He is encouraged and supported by his wife, Ifeyinwa, and his friends in his cell block. Meanwhile, Ifeyinwa struggles with the idea of keeping love alive over such a long separation, and she has secrets of her own.

Throughout the piece, 9131 takes an unflinching look at the everyday realities of life in a maximum-security prison, told in Wilson’s unique compositional voice. The piece will be realized by an all-star cast of singers, a stellar directorial team, and the versatile musicians of Decoda. Rounding out the program are new works by Xiaobao He (Sing Sing Correctional) and Robert Carter (Lee Correctional Institute).

Part of Decoda’s Music for Transformation initiative, 9131 is produced in collaboration with Musicambia and Carnegie Hall. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Special thanks to Sarah Johnson, Manuel Bagorro, Nate Schram, and Sarah Elizabeth Charles.

Cast

Kimberli Render, soprano

Dimitri Pittas, tenor

Derek Lee Ragin, countertenor

Musicians

Michelle Ross, violin

George Meyer, viola

Yves Dharamraj, cello

Kris Saebo, bass

Mika Sasaki, piano

Crew

Brad Balliett, Co-Artistic Director & Project Leader

Joseph Wilson, Composer

Benjamin Grow, Conductor

Karina Parker Mura, Co-Director

Kenyatta Hughes, Co-Director