Alexandra David-Néel was a bold woman who, in 1924, when it was illegal to do so, traveled to Tibet. Meredith Monk is an innovative composer and choreographer who was inspired by David-Néel and her exploits. Yuval Sharon is a MacArthur Grant winner whose wholly original productions have found great acclaim around the world. These three people collide/unite this week at Walt Disney Concert Hall where Sharon directs a new production of Monk’s Atlas, an opera in three acts which is loosely based on David-Néel’s life. Atlas has the first of three performances tonight at Walt Disney Concert Hall. There are also performances on Wednesday and Friday.
Sharon is best known to local audiences for his unique opera productions of Christopher Cerrone’s Invisible Cities at Union Station and Hopscotch, an opera experienced while driving in cars around Los Angeles. There was also War of the Worlds, a collaboration with the LA Philharmonic in 2017. With Atlas he concludes, in a very major way, his three-year residency with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Monk was commissioned by the Houston Opera to write Atlas. The work had its world premiere there in 1991. The following year it toured the world and played New York at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
This is not traditional opera. Nor is Monk is traditionalist. The opera is mostly wordless and is minimalist in design. With this production Monk is giving the reins over to another director to interpret her work; though she is on board as an artistic advisor to the production. Having seen much of Sharon’s work in Los Angeles, it is safe to say that this will be theatrical in the extreme – and that is meant as a compliment.
Atlas is not a work that has been embraced whole-heartedly. There are those who love it and those who hate it. Given Sharon’s aesthetic, it’s safe to say you won’t see a production of Monk’s opera anywhere else that looks like this one. Visual artist Es Devlin is collaborating with Sharon on these concerts.
Paolo Bartolameolli leads the LA Phil in these performances. Atlas calls for a small chamber ensemble and there are 19 vocalists.
The LA Philharmonic closes out its centennial season this weekend. Rest assured, love it or hate it, people will be talking about Atlas well into next season. It’s a bold and spectacular way to conclude this anniversary season.
For tickets for Tuesday’s performance go here.
For tickets for Wednesday’s performance go here.
For tickets for Friday’s performance go here.
Main artwork and video courtesy of the LA Philharmonic Association.
Photo of Yuval Sharon by Sam Comen/Courtesy of the LA Philharmonic Association.
Collage of images of Meredith Monk courtesy of MeredithMonk.org