Opera Blue at the English National Opera

MYND Workshop embarked on a unique collaboration with renowned film designer Ravi Deepres and photographer Luke Unsworth to bring the vibrant essence of Harlem, New York City, to the stage of the English National Opera for the production of Opera Blue. This avant-garde project required capturing the dynamic spirit and rich history of Harlem's neighborhoods, translating these elements into a digital landscape that would serve as the visual foundation for the opera's backdrop.

Point cloud backdrop imagery for "Opera Blue" performance at the English National Opera

Point cloud backdrop imagery for "Opera Blue" performance at the English National Opera

Utilizing cutting-edge LiDAR technology, MYND Workshop meticulously scanned various locales within Harlem, ensuring each detail was preserved in the resulting point clouds. These digital replicas not only encapsulated the architectural beauty and urban texture of Harlem but also encapsulated the cultural heartbeat of this iconic neighborhood. The scans provided a digital canvas upon which the film designers could craft immersive visuals and videos, effectively transporting the opera's audience to the streets of Harlem without leaving their seats.

3D Point cloud background imagery for "Opera Blue" performance at the English National Opera

Explore some of the point cloud animations used as backdrops for the opera

Explore some of the point cloud animations used as backdrops for the opera

The collaboration was instrumental in the production of Opera Blue, directed by Tinuke Craig and designed by Alex Lowde, with a compelling narrative penned by Tazewell Thompson and a soul-stirring composition by Jeanine Tesori. The laser scans and point clouds delivered by MYND Workshop played a pivotal role in achieving the opera's artistic vision, blending the rich tapestry of Harlem's heritage with the transformative power of performance art.