glyph 213: history theatre music philosophy ... the challenge of civil liberties in time of war ..... Los Angeles, California, June 2005

[The following description was taken from http://www.uclalive.org on 24 May 2005.

Manzanar: An American Story
Artistic Director, Kent Nagano, Music Director, Los Angeles Opera
Performed by the American Youth Symphony
Written and directed by Philip Kan Gotanda
Composed by Jean-Pascal Beintus, David Benoit, Naomi Sekiya
Conceptual development with Robert Wilson

[Kent Nagano is] a conductor who combines meticulousness and sensitivity in equal parts, outlining the musical narrative without exaggeration, in pastels. -Orange County Register

Don't miss the pre-performance lecture at 7pm in Haines Hall featuring Manzanar: An American Story composer Naomi Sekiya and Farewell to Manzanar author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and moderated by Japanese American National Museum senior curator, Karin Higa

also ...

A Special event with Kent Nagano on Sun, May 15th from 1-2pm at the Doizaki Gallery.
http://www.uclalive.org/Press_Releases/Kent%20Nagano%205-15%20event.pdf

In this monumental, awe-inspiring event, renowned conductor and music director Kent Nagano illustrates the evolution of civil liberty in America through the World War II Japanese American internment camp experience in a brilliant layering of sights and sounds. Featuring a full orchestra and children's chorus, the work illuminates the compositions of the award-winning Naomi Sekiya, long-time Nagano collaborator Jean-Pascal Beintus, and leading jazz artist David Benoit. The work also combines theater director/designer Robert Wilson's visionary ideas with Philip Kan Gotanda's poignant direction and text, read by George Takei.

The son of Japanese American Nisei immigrants, Nagano, who currently serves as music director of the Los Angeles Opera among many other posts, has built an enviable reputation by leading highly unusual works. For the Manzanar evening, Nagano has selected an opening half composed of three philosophical works that also reveal themes of oppression and liberation. Named for one of the ten internment camps, Manzanar provides a timely opportunity to reflect upon the history and personal sacrifices that have influenced and shaped our ever-evolving American freedoms.

Ives, The Unanswered Question
Plato, The Apology of Socrates
Beethoven, Fidelio: Act Two Introduction, Leonore Overture No. 3 in C major
Beintus-Benoit-Sekiya, Manzanar: An American Story

Manzanar is supported by The California Civil Liberties Public Education Program; Madison Project of Santa Monica College; Japanese American National Museum; Antioch University

[Thanks to Dale Franzen, Madison Project of Santa Monica College, for telling me of this. -leif]

https://explorersfoundation.org/glyphery/213.html
entered before July 9, 2006