Almost 12 years ago we first heard the name Robert Dizekanski. He was the Polish man coming to live in Canada, who ended up dying at Vancouver International Airport after being pinned, handcuffed and tasered multiple times by RCMP.

Once people saw the video it really opened their eyes. Here was a man, clearly confused and agitated. He was lost at the airport and didn’t speak the language. He needed help, and it ended tragically. 

Andrew Wainwright was watching the news coverage and it inspired him to start writing. He ended up writing an opera which will be performed tonight in Chicago.

Guest: J. Andrew Wainwright

Wrote the libretto for the opera, I will fly like a bird

Almost 12 years ago we first heard the name Robert Dizekanski. He was the Polish man coming to live in Canada, who ended up dying at Vancouver International Airport after being pinned, handcuffed and tasered multiple times by RCMP.


Once people saw the video it really opened their eyes. Here was a man, clearly confused and agitated. He was lost at the airport and didn’t speak the language. He needed help, and it ended tragically. 

Andrew Wainwright was watching the news coverage and it inspired him to start writing. He ended up writing an opera which will be performed tonight in Chicago.

Guest: J. Andrew Wainwright


Wrote the libretto for the opera, I will fly like a bird