MARA: A Chamber Opera on Good and Evil

MĀRA: A Chamber Opera on Good and Evil is an American chamber opera in two acts composed by Sherry Woods to a libretto by Stephen Batchelor. The opera humanizes the story of Siddhattha Gotama (the Buddha) and his encounters with Māra, Taṇhā (Māra's daughter), and the demonic figures that appear to him as he seeks a way to live an awakened life in the world.

MĀRA received a workshop performance in the Black Box Theatre of Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center (Florence, South Carolina) on October 28, 2016. Benjamin Woods was the Music Director, and Ronn Smith was the Producer/Stage Director. Chris Woods sang the role of Gotama, Paul Thompson sang Māra, and Lauren Smith Woods sang Taṇhā and Ānanda. The orchestra included Betsy Johnson (flute), Amy Herin (violin), Mary Louise Nagata (Viola 1), Neil Dey (Viola 2), Adrienne Woods (Cello 1), Preston Watson (Cello 2), and Forrest Matthews (Bass). Carol Sherry designed the costumes, and Alexander Melton designed the lighting. An expanded version of the opera was presented in a concert version at The Rubin Museum of Art, in New York City, on October 18 and 20, 2017. Michael Sumuel sang the role of Gotama, Sam Levine sang Māra (Sunakkhatta and Cunda), and Rebecca Farley sang Taṇhā and Ānanda. The orchestra included John Romeri (flute), Erin Benim (violin), Kiku Enomoto (Viola 1), Katie Kresek (Viola 2), Adrienne Woods (Cello 1), Eleanor Norton (Cello 2), and Mat Fieldes (Bass). The libretto, including essays by Stephen Batchelor, Sherry Woods, and Ronn Smith, was printed in a private edition.

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