Eckert’s musical adventure follows Nathan, a piano tuner and composer who is losing his mind and his memory.

In Nathan’s mad quest to finish his final opus, an opera based on Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, he has left himself tape-recorded instructions and visual aids to help jar his memory. He also relies on his imaginary muse, Olivia, for inspiration and advice.

As Nathan strives to create one last grand work before his mind dies, he and Olivia take on the roles of Ishmael, Queequeg, Starbuck, Captain Ahab and others.

The New York Times notes, “… the double sense, both comic and tragic, of human inadequacy and divine aspiration is what gives ‘Whales’ its enduring appeal.”

Eckert has examined the nooks and crannies of the human mind in multiple works of music and theatre during his long association with the Center, starting in the 2004–2005 season.

His 2009–2010 production Slide, with Steven Mackey and eighth blackbird, recently received a Grammy award and in February 2012, Eckert was designated a Doris Duke Artist for his "demonstrated evidence of exceptional creativity, ongoing self-challenge and the continuing potential to make significant contributions to [his field] in the future.”

Join the artists for a Talk Back after the October 17 and 18 performances.

Rinde Eckert most recently appeared at the Center with eighth blackbird and Steven Mackey in Slide (2009–2010).