About
The Dolls of New Albion, A Steampunk Opera is a 90 minute, 4 Act musical with each Act following a different generation of the McAlistair family in the fantastical city of New Albion. The story begins with lonely scientist Annabelle McAlistair’s attempt to bring back her dead love into the body of a mechanical mannequin.
The album feature the vocals talents of Lauren Osborn, Jason Broderick and Kayleigh McKnight (provided by MProductions in London) and is written and produced by Paul Shapera. It can be listening to or purchased here.
Also instrumental is Mark Swetz and Compañía Y without whom this album and show would not exist. Not only is Mark the director of the stage show but the very idea for the Steampunk Opera was due to a series of conversations in which he asked about commissioning an opera from me.
As far as this blog goes: my name is Paul Shapera, a musician who works under both my own name and for some years as Mocha Lab. I have a string of albums which can be perused on Bandcamp or my website www.mochalab.com, or of course on iTunes or amazon or any other major online store. I’ve also a long history with theater, dance and live performance. I’ve started this blog to chronicle the conception, creation and performance of a ‘Steampunk Opera’, as well as share great bands, artists and writers whose work complements the project.
A note: The Steampunk Opera will ultimately be a trilogy. There will a Dieselpunk Opera next which is in the planning stage
I can be reached privately at paulms@gmail.com
mariecandice
June 27, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Your blog is so fab! I’m going to have to read it right through. I found it totally by accident via your post on the Dieselpunk Tarot, what a deck eh?
My husband is a musician and he did a full-length concept album a couple years ago, so I have some insight into just how much work you’ve put into your opera (wow). I’m bookmarking you because I want to come back and listen to Act 1.
Keep up the good work man. I hope I hear more about you and your work in future.
Danny
August 11, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Ok, The Dolls of New Albion is amazing! Beautiful and perfect in every way! I am so happy that I found it, it is my new obsession, so thank you Paul! When I found out you were doing it on stage, I wasn’t surprised. When I listened to the ablum there were just so many vivid images that it created! It is trully wonderful and inspiring! Any chance that New Albion could someday possibly come to the stage in America? I love the story you’ve created, it’s all i think about! I am solowly memerizing all the songs, and i don’t know what else to say except I love you for doing this!
paulms
August 11, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Oh, i love you more for loving it. I would love to bring it to the states. I would love to return to the states. If the show can work itself up the ladder a little bit to a level where it has a bit of a name then it would be much easier to bring it to certain cities in the states. Of course since my intention is utter world domination, i envision a day where neighborhood children will be putting performances of it up on your lawn.
Danny
August 12, 2012 at 12:19 am
Now I’m actually going to want to get some friends together and perform it on my lawn. And I have no doubt that the show will become mega famous. It’s too brilliant not to become mega famous. I’m spreading the word about this show.