Celestial Excursions

About

Robert Ashley's opera, Celestial Excursions, is described as an electronically innovative, socially provocative, and incorrigibly musical-theatrical work. The production focuses on homeless individuals, whom Ashley refers to as "old people," and explores their unique methods of communicating without traditional communication. The staging and musical direction emphasize the totality of their thoughts rather than just the sounds of their speech, utilizing a highly sophisticated vocal technique that Ashley developed over many years. The performance features a special style of speech that wraps word arabesques in a polished recitative shell. This technique results in a complex layering of voices in unison or harmony, where each voice retains its distinct character, allowing the audience to follow individual stories through the sequence of their entries. The production also notably features a "Silent Character," performed by Joan Jonas, adding a unique visual and theatrical element to the ensemble.