The ARTFUL TITANS
STOKOWSKI and BARNES
ABOUT: “The Artful Titans” (A Theatrical Portrait of Symphonic Proportions) will feature the legendary Leopold Stokowski (The Creator) and acclaimed Alfred C. Barnes (The Collector) in a cast of Broadway actors sharing the stage with the brilliant French-born conductor, Deneve, and the musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra in a fully-staged symphonic theatrical evening celebrating the music of Debussy, Chausson, Milhaud, Poulenc, and Stravinsky as it weaves, dances and explodes with the art of Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir, Monet, Degas and Picasso living and working in Paris in concentric circles of creative genius. "The Artful Titans” is a series of dynamic portraits and dazzling “Impressions” of music, art and theater dramatizing the convergent/divergent lives and aesthetics of Philadelphia’s pioneering cultural icons: Leopold Stokowski and Alfred C. Barnes from 1912-1930. Each “canvas” (mise en scène) captures a moment, an arc, an essence, depicting the triumphs and trials in the lives of Stokowski and Barnes. Music infuses each portrait with color, tone, rhythm and light. Each thematic tableaux/montage paints a mini-story shimmering with character, conflict, dialogue, movement and music set against the backdrop of Paris and Philadelphia. The overall effect is a symphonic gallery of stylized “impressions” charting innovative experiments/risks taken by two relentless and ruthless visionaries: Stokowski and Barnes, building their respective empires. |
WORLD PREMIERE OCTOBER 2018 The Philadelphia Orchestra presents "The Artful Titans" A Stokowski - Barnes Festival Stéphane Denéve, Conductor Playwright & Stage Director Didi Balle Play One: "Philadelphia in Paris” (1912-1918) Oct. 11, 12, 13, 2018 Palestrina/orch. Stokowski - "Adoramus te Christe" Chausson - Poème, for violin and orchestra David Kim - Violin Debussy - "The Sunken Cathedral," from Preludes Debussy - La Mer Play Two: “Paris in Philadelphia” (1920-1930) Oct. 19, 20, 21, 2018 Milhaud - The Creation of the World Poulenc - Organ Concerto Peter Richard Conte - Organ Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring Cast: TBD |
