Eden and The Rights Of Spring (Viva The Harris Theater)
The Year of Aesthetics №47 2022–10–29
I have seen two concerts at the Harris Theater. Both are still Touring and both are exceptional and worth seeing. You should look for them, and see them. There is still time to see both wonderful performance live.
Joyce DiDonato preforms music of the Baroque and music of the spheres hovering around the theme of Eden, Creation, and mans place in the world. The staging the lighting were magnificent, the orchestra superb, yet DiDonato’s voice was other worldly captivating. She is the premier mezzo of our age and she has taken the most challenging pieces and married them with theme into a wonderful continuity. There is not an aspect of the show that I did not love.
I waited 30 years for an opportunity to see The Rights Of Spring danced. I think that Pina Bausch may even surpass Graham in the choreography of this piece. The music is Stravinsky best and it lends itself to the controlled chaos of Bausch’s choreography. The troupe is perfection in their grace of motion, their intelligence in expression of human fear longing and pathos, but this is a trymph of dance. It is all motion and chaos. You move from multiple solos to the ensemble and back again. Every risk is taken, the are gasping at every pause of motion, they have pushed the limits of motion and action.
I said I waited 30 years to see this I have one regret that I did not have a ticket for the Friday night performance. I have never been happier leaving the theater. The Chicago audience at the Harris Theater was on its feet for the ovation before the house lights came on. With four curtain calls and howls of exaltation and joy.
The Harris Theater has always been a great place to see performances they are always of high caliber, and there is not really a bad seat in the house subscriptions take 40–60 percent of the ticket price.
Disclaimer Ernest Boehm donates to the Harris Theater and subscribes but does not profit in anyway from this endorsement.