Synopsis
In Los Angeles, seven young Americans from varied origins (Black American, Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic) see their destinies upturned during the earthquake in 1994. This catastrophe sets off a series of situations which little by little draw a fresco of contemporary society and its contradictions.

A dark, highly charged work
As the heir to the American minimalist school of Terry Riley, Philip Glass or Steve Reich, or else of Ravel or Debussy, John Adams marked a turning point in his career with this opera. For, here, the composer forged links with the masters who had revolutionised the musical comedy : George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein. In an attempt, like them, to capture the popular language of his times, he naturally turned towards rock and pop, in particular in his instrumentation, so as to mingle these genres with the classical.

It is the Romanian Eugen Jebeleanu, who is entrusted this staging. He likes politics and society and likes to question notions of social norms, identity and freedom. A true fresco of urban society and its contradictions. No doubt he will be able to reveal the whole spirit of this real fresco of urban society and its contradictions.

Songplay in two acts, 1995
Libretto by June Jordan

New production
Corealisation with Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon