On Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th, Bourbon Baroque and Squallis Puppeteers are teaming up to present Les Sauvages, a 45-minute French Baroque opera at the The Louisville Visual Art Association, 3005 River Road. Bourbon Baroque describes their adaption of the opera, "Transcend into a world where three animals, each of unique European cultural significance, vie for the love and affection of the sacred white buffalo princess, ZIMA. Set in pre-colonized North America, this ONE ACT love story adaptation from Jean-Philippe Rameau's larger work Les Indes Galantes will transform the Water Tower atrium into a savage jungle where the wild things live, dance, and sing to the beautiful and melodic rhythms of 18th century France. Sung in French with full baroque orchestra, vocal leads, chorus, and the genius puppetry of Squallis Puppeteers." The singers will be with the orchestra while giant puppets act out all the action on stage.
Bourbon Baroque is a period instrumental ensemble founded in 2007 which specializes in music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Squallis Puppeteers was established as a non-profit organization in 2003 and is a collective group of local artists and performers who create huge, handmade puppets. Both organizations are based in Louisville, KY.
The shows start at 7:00 pm with doors opening at 5:30. Come early to hear Thomson Smillie speak from his latest book: How to Listen Learn Love Opera and to enjoy some provisions provided by Hillbilly Tea. The lecture starts at 6:00 pm.
Musical Direction | Nicolas Fortin and John Austin Clark
Stage Direction | Nick Covault
Puppets/Puppeteers | Squallis Puppeteers with Shawn Hennessey and Nora Christensen
Lights | Theresa Bagan
Set | Gerry Kean
Sound | Speak Up Studios
Video | Elizabeth Windisch
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through Bourbon Baroque online or over the phone at (502) 614-7178.
Photos courtesy of: Squallis Puppeteers and Bourbon Baroque
