Einstein on the Beach. Seminal postmodern opera. 1976. Avignon. 5 hours.
It is a collaboration between minimalist composer Philip Glass and epic director Robert Wilson. It samples the life of Albert Einstein, whose work ultimately resulted in the atomic bomb. The title is a reference to the 1957 Australian novel, On the Beach, about the end of the world from the nuclear radiation of a war. It is an end still within our grasp. The film from the novel, easily searchable by the same title, uses Waltzing Matilda, a song of deep significance to Australians, throughout. Later musicians wrote new lyrics to the song lamenting the futility of war and its human impact. Is it a coda to a species?
The opera, with original choreography by Lucinda Childs, is being presented again in 2012-3, internationally. Glass and Wilson have selected 5 dance performer collaboratives, from Argentina, Iceland, Italy, Brazil, Chile, NY and Seattle, to make new interpretations of segments of Einstein on the Beach for a separate 75 minute performance in NY. One is the Seattle movement music collaborative, the Degenerate Art Ensemble, DAE. DAE is the creative child of composer-musician, Joshua Kohl, and butoh mover, Haruko Nishimura, with their collaborators.
Tonight DAE previews the work in progress at the Moore, with a documentary about the original Einstein on the Beach performance. DAE presents its performance with the others in New York April 5-7 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.
Einstein on the Beach by the Degenerate Art Ensemble. At the Moore Theater 911 Pine Street Doors 7PM, 8 show. Free!
