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Minimal music classics in concert version
When Philip Glass and Robert Wilson developed the concept for “Einstein on the Beach,” they had nothing less than a revolution in opera in mind. Half a century after its premiere in Avignon in 1976, the work enjoys cult status and was recently described by the Los Angeles Times as “the most important opera of the last 50 years.” The work turns the genre completely upside down and leaves even Wagner's powerful idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk behind: there is no continuous plot, but rather seemingly timeless and spaceless sound structures with mysterious text fragments. These are performed in HELLERAU by singer Suzanne Vega, with the Ictus Ensemble from Brussels as the orchestra and the legendary Collegium Vocale Gent, founded in 1970 by Philippe Herreweghe, as the choir.
The concert performance focuses on the composition with its minimalist, complex structures, while also highlighting the unique architecture of the Festspielhaus. The considerable length of the work, Philip Glass's repetitive and hypnotic music, and Suzanne Vega's diction transport the audience into an immersive, unfathomable listening experience and a haunting, minimalist experience. Throughout the performance, the audience is free to leave and re-enter the Great Hall of the Festspielhaus, and the bar in the foyer remains open throughout. In this way, “Einstein on the Beach” becomes an extraordinary experience in combination with the acoustics and historical structure of the Festspielhaus.
Presented as part of the Dresden Music Festival 2026.
Biographies
Suzanne Vega is an icon of the 1980s and 90s, her hits “Luka” and “Tom's Diner” sold millions of copies. She presented her latest album in 2025 to great success in America and Europe. Vega's concerts are still free of pathos, but full of delicate emotions, characterized by her unmistakable style and her clear, melancholic voice. In “Einstein on the Beach,” Vega recites all the lyrics and takes on all the roles—as a narrator with many faces.
Collegium Vocale Gent was founded in 1970 on the initiative of Philippe Herreweghe. It was one of the first ensembles to implement new ideas on Baroque performance practice in vocal music. Its authentic and text-oriented approach gave the ensemble the transparent sound with which it achieved world fame. Another exceptional feature is its ability to assemble the ideal line-up for each project, with music ranging from the Renaissance to modern and contemporary repertoire.
Ictus is a Brussels-based ensemble for contemporary and experimental music, founded in 1994 as the live band for Anne-Teresa De Keersmaeker's legendary dance company Rosas. As a creative collective, Ictus now has a structure supported by various musicians, consisting of around 30 people spanning several generations. Ictus is a regular partner of numerous composers and choreographers, as well as institutions such as the Brussels Philharmonic and the Collegium Vocale Gent.
Cast & Credits
| Narrator | Suzanne Vega |
| Orchestra & Choir | Collegium Vocale Gent, ICTUS |
| Conductor | Tom de Cock |
| Sound Direction | Alexandre Fostier |
| Production | Ictus & Collegium Vocale Gent |
| Coproduction | Concertgebouw Brugge |
| Used with permission from | © Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc. |
Philip Glass “Einstein on the Beach”: Opera in four acts in a concert format. Presented as part of the Dresden Music Festival 2026.
A co-operation with the Dresdner Musikfestspiele
