This archive report was first published on 4 November 2021.
On November 4, 2021, the world witnessed the realization of a long-held dream for Wayne Shorter, a renowned saxophonist and composer, as his opera 'Iphigenia' took shape under the direction of Lileana Blain-Cruz.
Blain-Cruz, who was awarded a Doris Duke Artist Award in the same batch as Shorter, described the score and libretto as 'Easter eggs,' which added to the playfulness of the production. She noted that the music's complexity made blocking and flow a challenge, but it also lent itself to an atmosphere of experimentation, allowing the cast to try new approaches and make their own creative decisions.
Shorter, who has been working with Esperanza Spalding on the project, has been feeding new sheet music to the duo via Zoom, continuing a collaborative process that has been ongoing throughout the production. The opera's score is notable for its lack of prescribed tempo and dynamics, allowing the performers to use their own judgment and taste.
Shorter's connection to the Park Avenue Armory, where the opera is being rehearsed, dates back to the 1950s, when he was an undergrad at New York University and attended weekly ROTC drills at the very same location. It was during this time that he first conceived the idea for an opera, which he later abandoned in favor of other projects.
Throughout his career, Shorter has been known for his bold and innovative compositions, which have expanded the range of harmonic possibility in jazz. His work with the jazz-rock fusion band Weather Report and his exploration of Brazilian traditions and electronic music have been particularly notable.
