Inspired by the avant-garde musical practices of pioneers like Alice Coltrane, Sun Ra, Pauline Oliveros, and Butch Morris, a world-premiere performance explores connection, separation, and the process of letting go. The “ritual opera” moves through a series of mantras, sung first by a small choir of musicians embedded in the crowd and eventually by the full audience. Multidisciplinary artist Helga Davis conducts, composes, and writes with a team of collaborators that includes director Charlotte Brathwaite, dramaturg Sunder Ganglani, pianist Alexis Marcelo, and visual artist Cauleen Smith.
The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.