Peabody at the Walters

Description

Claude Debussy's Chansons de Bilitis

This is a staged performance of Claude Debussy's Chansons de Bilitis. The piece is based on a collection of poems by Pierre Louÿs. Debussy set selections from these poems in several versions; this version is for two harps, two flutes, celeste, and narrator. The reading of the text is interspersed between the twelve movements and also in the middle of some movements, or simultaneously with the music, so that spoken word and music intertwine. For this performance, we are fortunate to be collaborating with Peabody's new dance department. While the musicians play, fifteen dancers will offer their interpretation of the piece through choreographed movement as well as improvisation, interacting with the narrator and audience.