Opus Number: 118
Music: Carl Orff, orchestrated by Freidrich K. Wanek
Set and Costumes: Santo Loquasto
Lighting: Jennifer Tipton
Date First Performed: April 9, 2003
Notes: In this Genesis tale as retold by Paul Taylor, Jehovah creates heaven and earth, and Adam and Eve, who in short order eat from the Tree of Knowledge and find themselves and their offspring banished from the Garden of Eden. Set to music by Carl Orff as performed by wind ensemble, In The Beginning presents a God capable of rage as well as the healing powers of redemption as he forgives his errant children.
“A quick survey of the Book of Genesis (rather like the 40-minute dash round the Louvre). Wonderfully merry or anguished dances. The piece is sly, ambiguous and terrific. Taylor must have attended a really wonky Sunday school.” – Clement Crisp, The Financial Times
Silvia Nevjinsky, Robert Kleinendorst, and Andy LeBeau, photo by Paul B. Goode
