Spring Season Brings a Fusion of Myth, History, and Music to Dance and Opera

The arts are digging deep into history this spring, using mythology, ancient history, and timeless music to inspire a season of dance and opera. The exploration of the past is a common thread in the upcoming performances, aiming to reflect on our present-day experiences.

Exploring Through Dance

The armory will host 'Illinoise,' inspired by Sufjan Stevens' album, with choreography by Justin Peck and a narrative about young dreamers finding community. In a New Jersey mall, the dance-theater collective CHILD presents a satire on consumerism with '1-800-3592-113592.' Mark Morris sets his dance moves to the '60s hits of Burt Bacharach in 'The Look of Love,' promising a romantic throwback experience. The Joyce celebrates the work of Trisha Brown with the commission 'In the Fall' alongside Brown's own seminal pieces. Martha Graham Dance Company presents a mix of Graham’s traditional and new pieces, while New York Live Arts hosts 'UnFiNiShEd aNiMaL,' an immersive experience inspired by queer nightlife.

Opera's Homage to History

Heartbeat Opera’s 'The Extinctionist' tackles the heavy topic of climate change, while 'La ville morte,' a reconstructed lost work set amid Greek ruins, offers historical intrigue. 'El Niño' by John Adams re-examines the Nativity story at the Metropolitan Opera. 'Exagoge' puts a modern twist on an ancient Jewish play at La MaMa E.T.C., while 'An American Soldier' recounts a tragic modern story of racism and loss within the military. Each performance aims to merge past insights with contemporary relevance, demonstrating the enduring power of historical narratives in the performing arts.

dance, opera, history