People's Opera aka Aerosol/or The Computer That Couldn't Hear (2LP)

Liam O'Gallagher

Liam O'Gallagher's audio work, People's Opera aka Aerosol/or the Computer That Couldn’t Hear: An Inter-Media Opera, features nine transistor radios (four tuned to FM stations and five to AM stations), a telephone system, and soloists on tambourine, flute, oboe, and French horn. Here are the notes on the presentation, by O'Gallagher's himself: “The ‘conductor’ signals the operators of the radios to approach the microphones or recede from them. Soloists play according to any predetermined plan. Two soloists play in the studios and two phone into the studios and play their parts through the phone system. The ‘scorer’ works from the main broadcast control room of the radio station and controls the mix and effects of the various inputs. He determines the final signal or output. The ‘orchestra’ selects their stations and maintains them throughout the performance. If possible, stations should represent various genres or segments of the community, such as Chinese language, soul, Spanish language, rock, popular tunes, spiritual- and Bible-toned stations. The time limit is agreed upon in advance by the participants. Drop out, turn around, tune in.”