Ludovic Morlot embarks on first opera with the Seattle Symphony

Ludovic Morlot
Ludovic Morlot

Ludovic Morlot embarks on first opera with the Seattle Symphony performing French composer Maurice Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges on June 1 and 3

Production design and direction by nationally acclaimed artist Anne Patterson to include ornate head sculptures, fanciful costumes and slow-motion video to be projected on a sea of ribbons dangling above the orchestra

A rare, semi-staged production of Maurice Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges (“The Child and the Spells”) will be led by Seattle Symphony Music Director Ludovic Morlot on Thursday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 3, at 8 p.m.

Artist and production designer Anne Patterson, known for her “mesmerizing installations and magical scenic designs” (Huffington Post) will create a synesthesia influenced world for the French one-act opera. Dangling ribbons hanging above the orchestra will serve as the backdrop for slow-motion projected videos while elaborate, custom head sculptures will distinguish the fairytale’s lively characters.

Opening the event will be a performance of Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants: Petite Suite followed by acclaimed young pianist Jan Lisiecki performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9, “Jeunehomme”.  A Pre-concert Talk will be presented one hour prior to each performance, and an opportunity to learn more about the production from Ludovic Morlot and Anne Patterson will follow the Saturday performance as part of Ask the Artist.