In all areas of his work, Michael is an innovator and leader

Bouncy Castle Organ Extravaganza

Given access to hundreds of spare organ parts, and a bouncy castle, Michael created a truly innovative instrument, and an unforgettably unique experience for hundreds of Vancouverites at the tail end of Summer, 2018.

A Piano Piece about Alzheimer’s

Nothing says you’re an innovator more than being asked to speak at a Ted conference. Check out Michael's Ted Talk, Experiencing Disease Through Music. Heralded as moving, haunting, and an amazing translation of the disease, this 16-minute video shows Michael talking about and then performing his piece Alzheimer's Variations.

An Opera about Diabetes

Diagnosis: Diabetes was the world’s first truly interactive chamber opera. It was also unique in its depiction of type-1 diabetes on stage. Audiences, with and without diabetes, were able to experience elements of a diabetic’s life from the comfort of their seat.

A Recital of Storytelling

Story Time with Michael is a modular recital consisting of selections from Michael’s ever-growing collection of pieces for speaking pianist. The collection includes compositions by Michael as well as pieces by other composers that fit the Story Time aesthetic.

Below, you will find video and audio recordings of some of the pieces that can be included. See below for a full list of Michael’s repertoire for speaking pianist.

Works by Michael Park

Alzheimer’s Variations (2006) 15’
Stories Men Tell (2011) 18’
Machine of Death (2018) 15’
Performing Memories (2020) 40’
Plastic Bag Whales (2019-) 6’+
Music for the White Notes on the Piano (in development) 10’

Other Works

The Loneliest Piano by Paul McIntyre (2011) 12’
The Garden by Rodney Sharman (2001) 12’
Maligne Lake by Angelique Po 4’ (2017) 4’
Deep Dive by Glenn Sutherland 10’ (2018) 10’
Seasons by Goushi H.K. Yonekura 10’ (2017) 10’

100-Year Celebration of Insulin with Michael Park’s Opera, Diagnosis: Diabetes

Throughout November 2021, composer Michael Park celebrated 30 years of living with diabetes, as well as the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, by live streaming his award winning opera, Diagnosis: Diabetes for free.

Michael teamed up with diabetes organizations across North America to present livestreams of Erato Ensemble’s world-premiere performance of the world's first interactive opera about diabetes. Hundreds of viewers tuned in to hear the composer discuss the project with representatives from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, We Are Diabetes, and BC Diabetes.

Check out what people are saying about Diagnosis: Diabetes.

Support the Composer

Diabetes Opera on Facebook

+ About the Opera

Diagnosis: Diabetes is a 1-hour chamber opera that tells the story of Charlie, from his diagnosis as a young boy and as he grows up navigating life with type-1 diabetes. The opera is fun, engaging, and lighthearted, without shying away from the realities of living with a chronic condition. By encouraging the audience to answer multiple-choice (musical) questions about diabetes, the work is educational, but also includes dynamic narrative scenes that allow the audience to experience what it’s like to actually have diabetes.

In 2013, an early version of the opera won the Gold Medal at the Boston Metropolitan Opera's International Composers' Competition, and the completed work was premiered by Vancouver's Erato Ensemble in November 2015. We are currently looking for opportunities to remount the work so if you are a performer, producer, or opera lover who who wants to help bring this work to life, don't hesistate to get in touch.

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