Meredith Monk Photo by K. Scott Schafer

Meredith Monk "Voice Travel": A Retrospective in Three Evenings

Following in its tradition of honoring an American composer each year (Morton Feldman in 1996; Ornette Coleman in 1997; Leonard Bernstein in 1998; and Steve Reich in 1999), Lincoln Center Festival 2000 honors Meredith Monk, one of the most influential and internationally-acclaimed artists of our time, with a three-part retrospective of her music. The retrospective focuses on Monk the composer/vocalist and her unique and powerful oeuvre centered on the human voice. Three concert programs will feature rare performances of seminal early Monk works from the early 1970s along with acclaimed music from the 1980s and '90s.

In the tradition of Monk's early multi-venue performances, the Festival mini-series will take place over three evenings, in three different venues. A film series entitled Films of Meredith Monk, with screenings July 19, 20, and 23, will be presented at Makor in conjunction with her retrospective series at Lincoln Center Festival. (See schedule).

On Monday, July 18, "Solo Landscapes," which takes place at the New York Society for Ethical Culture (Central Park West at 64th Street), will feature Ms. Monk in Songs from the Hill, an unaccompanied solo from 1976; and with guest artist, pianist Nurit Tilles, in "Music for Voice and Piano" composed between 1972-1993. Ms. Monk will accompany herself in three pieces, and Ms. Tilles will accompany three others, as well as performing the solo piano work, St. Petersburg Waltz, which Monk wrote for her.

"Expeditions in Concert," on Friday, July 21, at Alice Tully Hall, spotlights ensemble performance and will feature Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble. The Ensemble, joined by a chamber orchestra will perform selections from Monk's acclaimed opera, ATLAS. The entire second half of the concert will feature the Ensemble in a cappella performance: singing selections from American Archeology #1: Roosevelt Island, and from Quarry, and closing with the powerful, complete final section of ATLAS, "Invisible Light."

"Monk Perspectives," on Sunday, July 23, at LaGuardia Concert Hall (West 65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue), will intersperse music and film. Meredith Monk will open with excerpts from Our Lady of Late, the early solo for voice and wineglass. A quartet of singer/performers and two keyboard players from Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble will perform Turtle Dreams (Waltz). The program will close with the stunning 1979 classic, Dolmen Music, a sextet. Interspersed with the music selections are two silent films: the 7-minute version of Ellis Island, and a short film segment from the film Quarry.

Talks and a symposium surrounding the three concerts will further illuminate the vast imaginative musical landscape of one of America's most unusual and innovative artists.

Tickets: July 18: $30; July 21 and 23: $38

Meredith Monk on Film
July 19, 20, & 23, 2000
Makor, 35 West 67th Street (between Columbus & Central Park West)
All screenings are $8.
For advance reservations, call (212) 601-1000 or http://www.makor.org/

Celebrated composer, singer, choreographer and filmmaker Meredith Monk brings her acclaimed films to Makor for three dates only. Due to limited seating, early ticket reservation is advised.

Wednesday, 7/19, 7:30 & 9:30 pm
Book of Days (1988 - 75 minutes) and Ellis Island (1981 - 28 minutes)

Thursday, 7/20, 7:30 & 9:30 pm
Selected Short Films (various - 105 min.)

Sunday, 7/23, 2:30 & 4:30 pm
Book of Days (1988 - 75 minutes) and Ellis Island (1981 - 28 minutes)