Thema on Monday 14 April 20:00-22:00 pays tribute to Robert Ashley, one of the most important innovators of opera in the 20th century.
The American composer Robert Ashley is one of the most important innovators of opera in the 20th century. Groundbreaking music theatre filled with surrealistic jokes à la David Lynch, mysterious poetry, video experiments and enthralling music.
Ashley died in March at the age of 83. His monumental opera trilogy ‘Perfect Lives-Atalanta-Now Eleanor’s Idea’ has proven to be particualrly influential. He worked together with a fixed team of vocalists including Joan la Barbara, Thomas Buckner and Robert Ashley himself.
Much of his music has appeared on the label Lovely Music. In this episode of Thema you can listen to highlights from Ashley’s early experimental period and from his later, revolutionairy operas such as ‘Perfect Lives’ and ‘Now Eleanor’s Idea’.
