Five Questions for Composer Missy Mazzoli

1. Why does a story about addiction belong on the opera stage?

– There are very few people in the U.S., and fewer and fewer in the rest of the world, who are completely unaffected by opioid addiction. For me and my librettist, Royce Vavrek, this is certainly not an abstract topic. We have both lost family members and close friends to addiction; it’s something we’ve been living with for a long time. As artists, we’ve been talking for several years about how we could create a work about the opioid crisis. With this team and this opera, we’ve found a way to do it.

2. Where did the creative process begin?

– *The Galloping Cure* is based on an original story that we asked author Karen Russell to write for this opera. Together with Royce, I spent months discussing addiction and how we could portray it on stage. From there, textures and themes began to come to me. I understand the world through music. It’s my way of creating meaning, of giving a voice to situations and emotions for which we lack words.

3. The opera revolves around a mysterious carousel that relieves pain. Where did that image come from?

– The idea for the carousel came from Karen. It’s a fantastic metaphor for addiction—a striking visual image. There’s something entertaining about it, but also something a little grotesque. The idea of not getting anywhere—of literally going around in circles—is very powerful.

4. What does opera bring to a story like this?

– Opera is a place for big ideas. It offers space for real tragedies, great love, redemption, hope, and the possibility of overcoming impossible obstacles. The story of addiction contains all of this, and opera has the capacity to encompass that complexity. There’s music, libretto, movement, and set design—all of which tell different parts of the story. They can even contradict each other at times. A character might make a problematic decision, but the music can still lead us to feel compassion.

5. What would you like to say to anyone coming to see *The Galloping Cure*?

– Fasten your seatbelt—here we go. More than anything else, I hope this opera gives people a way to talk about difficult topics like addiction, family, and loss, and that those conversations continue long after the performance is over.

The interview was conducted ahead of the world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival and republished with their permission.