Once She Dries

An experimental opera by Breathing Bass

Once she Dries is a love story

between coral reef

a rain cloud

and the Pantheon.

Coral loves Cloud

Pantheon loves Coral

and Cloud is

fickle.

This opera is based on three true stories of science:

1. Coral reefs are heading towards extinction by the end of this century. In their absence, a quarter of marine life will lose their home, half a billion people’s livelihood will be compromised, and our land will be threatened by dangerous storms that reefs currently dissipate.

2. When overheated and at risk of bleaching, coral reefs emit a pheromone-like bio-chemical that triggers water vapors to form cooling cloud formation directly overhead. Coral has the ability to attract a cloud.

3. To help resuscitate reef life, scientists have begun dropping tiny concrete pellets that simulate the texture of coral and support healthy habitats for ecologies to regrow and thrive.

(3 ½. The Pantheon happens to be the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.)

Once She Dries follows its non-human protagonists as they reshape their sense of love and lasting in the anthropocene age.

What you experience on this website will be less a simulation of the entire opera and more of a behind-the-scenes tour.

You’ll see various vignettes presented in a non-linear, interactive fashion.

Don’t worry, this experience won’t spoil how the show ends. You’ll find that out when we present the work live (ideally beachside).

For now, we’re offering you glimpses and clues at what takes place between Coral, Cloud and the Pantheon. We hope you enjoy peering inside.