Philip Glass' Symphony No. 12 ("Lodger")
Angélique Kidjo was the soloist in the world premiere of Philip Glass' Symphony No. 12 ("Lodger")
given by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conducted by John Adams on January 11th 2019 at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Once Kidjo entered, however, we were automatically someplace unexpected. Her earthy deep voice and African accented English took Bowie on as much of a fantastic voyage as Glass’ music did. The perspective was not only symphonic but also culturally modulated, and there was, with Kidjo’s strong personality, a woman’s perspective. Glass and Kidjo strip Bowie of his own charismatic arsenal of effects. His exoticism is no longer so exotic. Kidjo sees through him.
Review: Philip Glass takes David Bowie and the symphony to new places with a stupendous ‘Lodger’
“Illuminating on every level”
“[Kidjo] rose impressively to the demanding role”
“Glass wrote the work with the formidable voice and presence of Kidjo in mind, and she gave a performance of deep presence and strength”