Perle Noire: Meditations for Joséphine
Lineup
About the Event
Experience the brilliance of legendary soprano Julia Bullock in a work that shines a light on the life and legacy of Joséphine Baker – artist, activist and icon of resistance.
Directed by lauded opera director Peter Sellars, this genre-defying performance blends opera, jazz, spirituals and the elegance of early 20th century French music hall into a powerfully emotional song cycle, with spoken interludes written by the poet Claudia Rankine.
Baker’s iconic songs are re-imagined by Tyshawn Sorey, the Pulitzer award-winning composer who fuses improvisational jazz and classical forms to create a work that reaches beyond the commercial limitations of Joséphine’s professional lifetime, inviting her to live again in the full scope of her historical and contemporary meaning, heartbreak and glory.
Julia Bullock’s performance reincarnates Joséphine Baker, inviting this extraordinary Black woman at last to claim and command the full range of her astonishing powers.
The concert will finish at approximately 9:20pm, with no interval.
Creative team
Music by Tyshawn Sorey
Text by Claudia Rankine
Director Peter Sellars
Ben Zamora Lighting designer, based on original design by James F. Ingalls
Jody Elff Sound Designer
Michael Schumacher Movement Director
Carlos Soto Costume Designer
Betsy Ayer Stage Manager
Performers
Julia Bullock Joséphine Baker
Tyshawn Sorey Percussion & piano
International Contemporary Ensemble
Jennifer Curtis violin
Rebekah Heller bassoon
Travis Laplante saxophone
Daniel Lippel guitar
Alice Teyssier flute