Awakenings (opera)

Awakenings is an opera by British composer Oliver Soden, with a libretto by Sacharissa Codrington. It is based on the 1973 non-fiction book Awakenings by neurologist Oliver Sacks, and the subsequent 1990 film adaptation of the same name.

The opera explores the experiences of a group of patients suffering from encephalitis lethargica, a neurological condition that left them in a catatonic state. It focuses on the transformative, albeit temporary, effects of the drug L-DOPA, which briefly brought these patients back to life, allowing them to experience the world and their own emotions once again after decades of being locked within themselves. The narrative grapples with themes of hope, disappointment, the nature of consciousness, and the complexities of medical ethics.

Awakenings received its world premiere at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in June 2022. The opera has been noted for its sensitive portrayal of the patients' inner lives and its exploration of the human condition through music and drama. The score combines lyrical passages with more dissonant and angular textures to reflect the characters' emotional states and the challenges they face.