Cal Performances and
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
co-present the American Premiere!
Mark Morris Dance Group
King Arthur
By Henry Purcell
Mark Morris, director/choreographer
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Jane Glover, conductor
UC Chamber Chorus, Marika Kuzma, director
Featuring the original English cast, including Gillian Keith, soprano; Mhairi Lawson, soprano; Elizabeth Watts, soprano; Iestyn Davies, counter-tenor; James Gilchrist, tenor; William Berger, baritone; Andrew Foster-Williams, baritone

Sat, Sept 30, 8 pm   (Special Event)

Tue, Oct 3, 8 pm

Thu, Oct 5, 8 pm

Fri, Oct 6, 8 pm

Sat, Oct 7, 8 pm

Venue: Zellerbach Hall A

Price: $42/$62/$94
$42/$62/$94/$110 (Sept 30 Special Event)

What do these symbols mean?

Discover what our opening night patrons had to say about the American premiere of Mark Morris's King Arthur!

Throughout his astonishing career, Mark Morris has returned again and again to opera and Baroque music, the inspiration for the richest expressions of his musical and theatrical instincts. Now, the American premiere of his new interpretation of King Arthur, sure to be a landmark event of the international arts season, offers audiences a rare chance to rediscover Purcell's richly lyrical work. The English National Opera's first-ever production of King Arthur, co-commissioned by Cal Performances and the New York City Opera (it received its world premiere in June 2006), celebrates early English music and welcomes dance as a centerpiece on the operatic stage, bringing together the superlative Mark Morris Dance Group and an impressive line up of award-winning soloists. Designers Adrianne Lobel, Isaac Mizrahi, and James F. Ingalls, along with the Bay Area's esteemed Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, collaborate with Morris in an unforgettable evening of spectacle, song, and dance. "Mark Morris makes opera buffs go wild for dance, and dance lovers queue for opera" (BBC Music Magazine).

Co-presented with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra

This presentation is made possible, in part, by the generous support of The Bernard Osher Foundation through the Creative Venture Fund of Cal Performances' Centennial Campaign. This fund increases Cal Performances' capacity to present new works and ensure artistic excellence.

Additional support provided by Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation.

PATRON INFORMATION

Learn More! Program Notes: Program notes are available online, click here. Online Reviews: New York Times: What Becomes the Remake of a Legend Most? (Please note that accessing this article might require free registration and is time sensitive.) San Francisco Chronicle: Mark Morris keeps tastiest morsels of 'King Arthur' to cook up vibrant theatrical stew of song and dance Contra Costa Times: Slimmed down 'Arthur' reigns: A gleeful panorama of knights and sprites infuses the 17th century Baroque with colorful enthusiasm and creative fun California Magazine (UC Berkeley Alumni Association): Mark Morris' cutting edge King Arthur invades Berkeley San Francisco Chronicle: A 'King,' a 'Messiah' and a conductor San Francisco Chronicle: Mark Morris Group, English National Opera ready 'King Arthur' for stateside invasion The Times, London: First Night Review (Please note that accessing this article might require free registration and is time sensitive.) What Others Are Saying: "...the way Morris's movement creatively counterpoints the music gives the whole show a magical theatrical coherence." — The Guardian, London "...Morris is a natural classicist trained in folk traditions, who has put elegance, symmetry and on-the-beat musicality back at the centre of barefoot dance." — The Daily Telegraph, London "[Morris's] light touch, wry humour and the easy blend of Baroque and modern are present again." — Financial Times, London "...an exhilarating roller-coaster of a ride." — Music OHM (www.musicomh.com) "Patriotic, Purcellian extravaganza!...Not the least impressive on the musical side is the playing of ENO Orchestra and the singing of its Chorus. Both stylish and eloquent under Glover's direction, these forces give constant pleasure." — Evening Standard, London

Parking Alerts: Parking may be a problem on campus for the Sat, Oct 7, performance due to a Cal Football game. Please see our Parking Alert section for more information.

Education and Community Events:
Photography by Katsuyoshi Tanaka:
Mark Morris Dance Group at 25
Sept 30-Oct 7
A photography exhibit by Katsuyoshi Tanaka titled "Mark Morris Dance Group at 25" will be on display in Zellerbach Hall Mezzanine Lobby throughout the engagement.

Sightlines event
Tue, Oct 3, 7-7:30 pm, Zellerbach Hall
Pre-performance talk by conductor Jane Glover. This Sightlines event is free to all event ticket holders.

Round Table Discussion: King Arthur: From Legend to Stage
Fri, Oct 6, 2-4pm, Hertz Hall
How could we resist? UC Berkeley scholars will lead a multi-dimensional look at the treatment of King Arthur in legend, music, and now, Mark Morris' new production. Professor of English, Maura Nolan, will introduce Arthurian legend, while Professor of Music Davitt Moroney will delve into Henry Purcell's musical interpretation. They will be joined by Joe Bowie, rehearsal director and long-time dancer with Mark Morris Dance Group in a lively discussion moderated by Wendy Lesser of the Threepenny Review. This event is co-sponsored by the Department of Music, and is free and open to the public.

Sightlines event
Fri, Oct 6, 7-7:30 pm, Zellerbach Hall
Pre-performance talk by musicologist John Prescott. This Sightlines event is free to all event ticket holders.

Flyer (PDF)

Artists links:
Official Mark Morris Dance Group site
Official Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra site

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