MARK MORRIS GROUP & SILKROAD ENSEMBLE

WED 10—SAT 13 OCTOBER Arts Centre Melbourne,

State Theatre PRESENTED PRESENTING ASIAN BUSINESS COMMISSIONING 1 hr 10 mins no interval WITH PARTNERS CONSORTIUM CIRCLE PHOTO | Beowulf Sheehan LAYLA AND MAJNUN MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP SILKROAD ENSEMBLE CREATIVE TEAM

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BASS Mark Morris Shawn Conley & DIRECTION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VIOLIN Mark Morris Nancy Umanoff Johnny Gandelsman SCENIC & VIOLA COSTUME DESIGN DANCERS Mario Gotoh Howard Hodgkin Mica Bernas PERCUSSION LIGHTING DESIGN Sam Black Joseph Gramley James F. Ingalls Karlie Budge* Durell R. Comedy SET REALIZATION Brandon Cournay* Rauf Islamov Johan Henckens Domingo Estrada, Jr. PIPA COSTUME REALIZATION Lesley Garrison Wu Man Maile Okamura Lauren Grant VOCALS Sarah Haarmann Miralam Miralamov Deepa Liegel* VIOLIN Aaron Loux Jessie Montgomery Laurel Lynch Dallas McMurray VOCALS Minga Prather* Kamila Nabiyeva Brandon Randolph CELLO Nicole Sabella Karen Ouzounian Christina Sahaida* SHAKUHACHI Billy Smith Kojiro Umezaki Noah Vinson *apprentice TAR Zaki Valiyev

FEATURING—————— VOCALS Alim Qasimov Fargana Qasimova

Layla and Majnun is made possible, in Layla and Majnun is a Mark Morris Dance part, through the MMDG New Works Fund Group/Cal Performances, UC Berkeley with support from the Friends of MMDG, production in association with Melbourne Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, the International Arts Festival; Harris Theater Howard Gilman Foundation, Ellsworth Kelly for Music and Dance; Hopkins Center for Foundation, Elizabeth Liebman, a special the Arts; The John F. Kennedy Center for grant from The Henry Luce Foundation, the Performing Arts; Krannert Center for PARC Foundation, Poss Family Foundation, the Performing Arts; Lincoln Center for the the National Endowment for the Arts and Performing Arts; Sadler’s Wells; University Trust for Mutual Understanding. Musical Society, University of Michigan; and University of Washington World Series. Funding has also been provided by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ This engagement is supported by Mid National Dance Project, with lead funding Atlantic Arts Foundation through USArtists from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation International in partnership with the National and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Endowment for the Arts, the Andrew W. with additional support from the National Mellon Foundation and the Howard Gilman Endowment for the Arts. Foundation. MUSIC MEDLEY OF AZERBAIJANI MUSIC LAYLA AND MAJNUN BAYATI SHIRAZ MUSIC BY MUGHAM VOCALS KAMANCHEH Uzeyir Hajibeyli Kamila Nabiyeva Rauf Islamov (1885—1948) Miralam Miralamov TAR ARRANGED BY Zaki Valiyev Alim Qasimov Johnny Gandelsman All pieces in this medley are the actual mugham Bayati Colin Jacobsen based on the melodic patterns Shiraz where both singers and Sung in Azerbaijani of Bayati Shiraz, which is instrumentalists demonstrate with English supertitles one of the major their ability to improvise. of Azerbaijani music. The The song You have been apart composition proceeds from from me is a closing part of the the melancholic and sad music medley. Alibaba Mammadov expressions toward upbeat (b. 1929), Azerbaijani mugham and playful closing piece; such singer composed this song development is highly typical following all the rules and for Azerbaijani traditional stylistic features of the music. traditional songs known as The medley opens with the tasnifs. Tasnif is a romance- famous Azerbaijani folk song, like lyrical song that is usually I have watered the street performed within mugham which is about the girl who is composition. This medley, waiting for her beloved and therefore, features three vocal | Beowulf Sheehan | Beowulf wishing that they never be genres of traditional music of separated. The second part Azerbaijan, such as mugham, PHOTO of this composition features folk song and tasnif. PROGRAM

ACT I LOVE AND ACT III SORROW ACT V THE LOVERS’ SEPARATION AND DESPAIR DEMISE

LAYLA LAYLA LAYLA Mica Bernas Laurel Lynch Mica Bernas MAJNUN MAJNUN Nicole Sabella Dallas McMurray Aaron Loux Laurel Lynch Sarah Haarmann Sam Black Mica Bernas MAJNUN Lauren Grant Domingo Estrada, Jr. Dallas McMurray Sarah Haarmann Lauren Grant Domingo Estrada, Jr. Aaron Loux Sarah Haarmann Aaron Loux Laurel Lynch Dallas McMurray Sam Black Minga Prather Minga Prather Brandon Randolph Brandon Randolph LAYLA’S PARENTS Nicole Sabella Nicole Sabella Lauren Grant Billy Smith Billy Smith Noah Vinson Noah Vinson Noah Vinson MAJNUN’S PARENTS ACT II THE PARENTS’ ACT IV LAYLA’S Minga Prather DISAPPROVAL UNWANTED WEDDING Billy Smith

LAYLA LAYLA Nicole Sabella Sarah Haarmann MAJNUN MAJNUN Domingo Estrada, Jr. Sam Black LAYLA’S PARENTS THE HUSBAND Lauren Grant Durell R. Comedy Noah Vinson LAYLA’S PARENTS MAJNUN’S PARENTS Lauren Grant Minga Prather Noah Vinson Billy Smith Domingo Estrada, Jr. Mica Bernas Laurel Lynch Sam Black Aaron Loux Durell R. Comedy Minga Prather Sarah Haarmann Nicole Sabella Dallas McMurray Billy Smith Brandon Randolph ACT I LOVE AND SEPARATION

MAJNUN My soul is on fire because we are apart I want to join my beloved My heart is heavy because I am alone I want to see my beloved I feel like a nightingale that cries in pain, trapped in a cage I want a flower garden. LAYLA ACT II THE PARENTS’ My heart has been breaking DISAPPROVAL since I was overcome by love What kind of sorrow is this? I do not have the strength BOTH to describe the sorrow in my You fell in love, desperately heart in love I cannot bear being apart And your love is mixed with from you sadness and grief MAJNUN MAJNUN Seeing your face—as lovely Father and Mother—my soul, as the sun—has made me my spirit weak Father and Mother—my heart I cannot be still How could I know that falling My only wish is to perish in in love with Layla would turn the world of love out this way? I thank God that my wish is granted What could I say, what could I do? I have no more desire I cannot control this love LAYLA I’m powerless—I have no My true love knows my heart strength is breaking He knows what sadness lives I can only worship this one in my heart idol until the very end of my LAYLA life There is no need for me to explain my grief LAYLA He knows every sliver of Mother, Father—it’s not my AND sorrow in my heart fault that I went to school MAJNUN Yes, I know I’ve never done anything to disobey you LAYLA Yes, he knows I swear this was not my MAJNUN MAJNUN Yes, I know intention LAYLA AND MAJNUN I just wanted to be a carefree Your movements tantalise schoolgirl LIBRETTO me Uzeyir Hajibeyli Don’t say any more Your smile—like a flower— Have mercy and stop makes me weep BASED ON THE POEM BY tormenting me Muhammad Your sweet scent renders me motionless MAJNUN TRANSLATION Your tousled hair drives me Father, Mother, my love will Aida Huseynova mad drive me mad. & Isabelle Hunter ACT IV LAYLA’S UNWANTED WEDDING

MAJNUN ACT III SORROW AND DESPAIR Why are you in the garden with a stranger MAJNUN Enjoying yourself, bestowing Dear God, let me be at favours on him? peace with my troubles How could you break your Let me feel the despair of word? my love Did you forget about our Have mercy on me in my vows? How cruel! grief LAYLA Let me feel even more No, no, my soulmate, please despair for my love listen to me LAYLA If this were up to me I would Your eyes are closed, your never want anyone but you ACT V THE LOVERS’ DEMISE heart is broken Fate has dealt me a cruel blow Your mind tortured, and your LAYLA legs are bound I don’t know how this happened The wheel of fate has not You are burning from head turned the way I wanted to toe MAJNUN It has not cured the pain of And your heart smolders What did I do to make you separation turn away from me? MAJNUN My beloved gave me so I yearn to feel this sorrow as How could you choose a much pain stranger to share your grief long as I live My heart is filled with and happiness? I need this sorrow because suffering that has no remedy Is this what you call love? this sorrow needs me My beloved promised to love I will not surrender You are cruel! You broke our me forever vows! I will not be called unfaithful But he forgot about his vows LAYLA and about our love. LAYLA God, what torture! What MAJNUN I am as faithful as you are agony! True love means sacrificing Maybe even more so I was burning with love for one’s life for his beloved You are on fire only at night you. Now I know the torture A soul that has not been of being apart. While I am on fire night and given to a beloved is a day MAJNUN wasted soul BOTH So this is your loyalty, Layla? Lovers want to be together Like Fuzuli, I am inspired. Can someone who is But separation brings them Please, God, let me be. unfaithful be loved? joy forever.

Morris has orchestrated a feast of visual motion that across history with a fleet foot.

The astonishing completeness of the Mark Morris Dance Group and Silkroad Ensemble’s Layla and Majnun —the way its various elements come together to form an organic whole— doesn’t suggest the long and winding path it has taken to get here today. But this is a work a long time in the making. Morris said no. The music didn’t appeal to For more than 1,000 years the story of these Morris’ choreographic ear. The story might have lovers kept apart by fate has been a mainstay appeared perfect for a choreographer with a in cultures of the Middle East, north Africa and powerful command of tragedy­—as Morris’ Dido western Asia. Successive writers have adapted and Aeneas and Romeo and Juliet both attest— the tale to speak to their own audiences, and but Morris’ wasn’t convinced it was the right fit. the story has been most cherished in the region Yo-Yo Ma disagreed, insisting that Morris was known today as Azerbaijan. the only person to do the job. It took years of It was in Azerbaijan that the Muslim world’s persuasion, and tweaks to the arrangements, first opera was created: Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s 1908 before Morris began to see the possibilities in Layla and Majnun took its cues from a 16th- the proposal, and once the door opened a century version of the story by Azerbaijani poet crack those possibilities began to crowd in. Muhammad Fizuli, and featured sections for The result is dance that draws deeply on both both traditional mugham vocalists and Western the musical diversity of Hajibeyli’s Layla and instruments and arias. Majnun and the many dance genres that have Fast forward a century. One of the world’s historically spanned the vast itself. foremost mugham singers and musicians, From the balletic Arabesque to the curved Alim Qasimov, approaches Silkroad Ensemble lines of Indian dance, the whirling of dervishes proposing they collaborate on a new staging to Eastern European folk dances, Morris has of Hajibeyli’s opera. Qasimov along with Colin orchestrated a feast of visual motion that Jacobsen and Johnny Gandelsman, both dances across history with a fleet foot. Silkroad founders, produced a chamber-style The vision is made complete by the late arrangement of the classic tale, with Yo-Yo Ma Howard Hodgkin’s sumptuous backdrop, itself directing. inspired by the painting It was this version that Ma invited Mark Morris that was developed in Azerbaijan during the to see, and afterwards the acclaimed cellist medieval era, and by the singular voice of Alim put to the choreographer a bold idea: an Qasimov, still at the centre of this extraordinary even grander collaboration between Silkroad collaboration, along with fellow mugham and the Mark Morris Dance Group, affording virtuoso Fargana Qasimova. the groundbreaking opera the epic scale it — JOHN BAILEY | Beowulf Sheehan | Beowulf deserves. John Bailey is a freelance writer based in Melbourne. PHOTO Nezami’s romance of Laili and Majnun is a multilayered, complex text, which makes it open to contrasting, and perhaps contradictory, readings. THE From my early youth I have been IDEALIZATION intrigued by the love story of Majnun and Layla (or Laili, in most Persian renderings), two young lovers from Bedouin Arabia. OF LOVE I remember very well that, during long, cold winter nights in Kabul, in the 1970s, my mother THE TIMELESS TALE OF would tell us the remarkable story of these LAYLA AND MAJNUN two lovers, their intense, splendid romance, and their endless plights leading to their heartrending deaths. It was then that I learned of an epic Indian movie based on the story that purportedly brought the audience to tears. Years later, as a student of literature, I read the Persian romance of Laili and Majnun by Nezami Ganjawi (1140—1209 CE) and then came across several reworkings of this amazing romance. The story clearly draws from brief, disjointed oral anecdotes reported in earlier Arabic sources. It was Nezami who superbly worked through the scant materials in his possession, developed a more complex plot, intensified the characterization, and composed a much more multilayered story, in the masnawi (rhyming couplet) form, to be incorporated, along with four other long narratives, into his monumental quintet (Khamsa). In brief, Qays ibn al-Mulawwah of the Banu ‘Amir tribe falls in love with his classmate Layla bint Sa‘d. As the two grow older, the intensity of their love increases. Although Layla, too, is truly smitten by love, it is Qays who publicly and unreservedly pronounces his obsessive passion in elegiac lyrics, thus earning the epithet Majnun (literally, “possessed” or “mad”). Majnun’s incessant poetic expression of Layla’s beauty and his astonishingly outrageous public conduct alarm Layla’s parents. Concerned about their daughter’s reputation as well as the honour and standing of the tribe, her parents ensure that the lovers are kept apart. When Qays’ father asks for Layla’s hand in marriage to his beloved (but universally seen as deranged) son, Layla’s family flatly refuses the proposal, a response that seems harsh but, in Majnun, too, loses his one and only purpose the light of Majnun’s scandalous conduct, not in life, his sole means towards the realization necessarily unreasonable. As Majnun continues of True Love. When he learns about the death wandering aimlessly through the desert, of his beloved, he at once seeks her gravesite. bonding with wild beasts, living an ascetic life, Weeping and moaning, he presses himself and composing verses about his obsession with against her gravestone and breaths his final Layla, his father lures him into visiting the holiest gasps, and dies. The lovers ultimately unite, but of Muslim sites, the Ka‘ba, in the hope of curing only in death. him of his obsessive love. There, Majnun pleads Nezami’s romance of Laili and Majnun is a to Allah to make him “a hundred-fold” more multilayered, complex text, which makes it open “possessed” in his love for Layla. to contrasting, and perhaps contradictory, In the meantime, Layla’s father gives her in readings. While a Sufi (mystical) reading marriage, against her will, to an affluent, but of it is plausible, one can justifiably read it shallow, man named Ibn Salam. The marriage as a conventional, yet immensely rich and never consummates as Layla insists on enthralling, love story. Despite the abundance preserving her chastity. She remains faithful to of mystical motifs and metaphors, the profane her true love, Majnun, until Ibn Salam dies of dimensions of the poem cannot be overlooked. rejection, disillusionment, and grief. Nezami’s unparalleled narrative proved A number of times, Majnun is offered the considerably influential during the subsequent chance to visit his beloved, to speak with her centuries. While allusions and references to in person. Towards the end of the story, when Layla and Majnun can be readily found in Layla, through the intermediation of a young, divans (collections) of poets before Nezami’s faithful devotee of Majnun, appears to him, he time, his version led several noted poets, in a still refuses to have physical (or sexual) contact host of languages, to compose original texts with her. Majnun strives to realize “perfect love” modelled after Nezami’s work. In Persian alone, in Layla, a love that transcends sensual contact one should mention Amir Khusraw Dehlawi’s with the beloved, a love that is free from selfish masterpiece Majnun and Laili (completed c. intentions, lust and earthly desires. Precisely 1299) and ‘Abd al-Rahman ’s Laili and for this reason, many commentators have Majnun (composed c. 1485). Other notable interpreted Nezami’s Laili and Majnun as a Sufi renderings of the story are by Maktabi Shirazi, (Islamic mystical) allegorical narrative, where , and, more notably, Fuzuli. The latter the lover seeks ultimate union with, as well as became considerably influential in Ottoman annihilation in, the Beloved (i.e. the Divine or . The romance of Layla and Majnun has the Truth). Majnun’s harsh life in the desert, been made into several popular films and then, has been compared to the ascetic life of movies in Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. Muslim mystics who rejected earthly pleasures — WALI AHMADI and renounced worldly affinities. Accordingly, his excessive devotion to Layla represents his unique and steadfast devotion to Ideal Love, Department of Near Eastern Studies University of California, Berkeley the Divine—which explains why, in spite of his Wali Ahmadi is an associate professor of at the incessant yearning for his beloved Layla, he University of California, Berkeley. Ahmadi’s publications include is incapable of physical intimacy with her. It is Modern Persian Literature in : Anomalous Visions of with the idealized image of the beloved—in History and Form (2008) and Converging Zones: Persian Literary Tradition and the Writing of History (2012). Ahmadi is currently working the person of Layla—that Majnun is infatuated. on the cultural politics of modern Persian poetics and aesthetics. When Layla falls mortally ill and passes away, INTO THE DIVINE THE MUSIC OF LAYLA AND MAJNUN

their story also has inspired works of visual art, At the age of 23, the composer Uzeyir literature, cinema and music. It is not accidental Hajibeyli (1885—1948) put Azerbaijan that Hajibeyli chose the poetic setting of the —and himself—on the map of music Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Muhammad history with his Leyli and Majnun. Fuzuli (1483—1556). Written in the Azerbaijani language, Fuzuli’s work is one of the most This opera was the first piece of composed famous versions of this ancient legend. music created in Azerbaijan, premiering in 1908 in Baku (then part of the Russian Empire, Musical interpretations of the legend of Layla now the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan). and Majnun appear in diverse genres and have revered their first national national traditions, attesting to the tale’s composer and his work ever since. For decades, enduring popularity. Hajibeyli’s opera—the every season at the Azerbaijan State Opera first piece of composed music to set this and Theater has opened with Leyli and ancient story—was based on mugham, the Majnun. Each Azerbaijani singer appreciates quintessential genre of traditional Azerbaijani the honour and responsibility of participating music. Mugham is a branch of the large in these productions, and audiences maqam tradition cultivated in the Middle East throughout the country enjoy broadcasts of the and Central Asia. An improvised modal music, performances. mugham historically has been performed by a mugham trio that consists of a singer playing Nearly a century after the Baku premiere, gaval (frame drum) and two instrumentalists Hajibeyli’s opera found a new life half a world playing tar (lute) and kamancheh (spike away thanks to the Silkroad Ensemble under the fiddle). Mugham remains a precious part of artistic direction of Yo-Yo Ma. In 2007, the group the traditional music heritage of Azerbaijan. created a chamber arrangement of Hajibeyli’s Since the early 20th century, mugham also has work that was entitled Layla and Majnun, become the main source of creative inspiration following the pronunciation of the heroine’s and experimentation for Azerbaijani composers. name in Arabic culture, in which this ancient In 1977, Azerbaijani mugham was one of the legend had originated. From 2007 to 2009, the 27 musical selections put in Voyagers I and II. arrangement was a highlight of the ensemble’s Sent beyond our solar system, these American repertoire, delighting large audiences around spacecraft carried this music as a testament the world. to the emotional life of human beings. In 2003, The rich multicultural potential of Hajibeyli’s UNESCO recognized Azerbaijani mugham opera perfectly resonates with Silkroad, the as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible cultural organization Yo-Yo Ma founded to Heritage of Humanity. house the Silkroad Ensemble. Silkroad envisions Throughout its long history, the mugham genre music as a global phenomenon, with musical has attracted many outstanding performers forms, genres and styles serving as bridges in Azerbaijan. Among them is Alim Qasimov, across time and between cultures. Azerbaijani who occupies a unique and honorable place in opera offers many possibilities for such musical Azerbaijan’s national music history. Qasimov is and cultural synthesis. In Leyli and Majnun, revered as a National Treasure of Azerbaijan, Hajibeyli combined Western opera with two and he also has enjoyed substantial acclaim artistic treasures of Central Asia and the Middle abroad. In 1999, Qasimov won the International East: the story of Layla and Majnun and the IMC-UNESCO Music Prize—a highly respected genre of mugham. award that previously had been bestowed on The ill-fated lovers Layla and Majnun are often Dmitri Shostakovich, Leonard Bernstein, Olivier compared to Romeo and Juliet, although their Messiaen, Daniel Barenboim, Munir Bashir and story in oral tradition predates Shakespeare’s Ravi Shankar among others. Qasimov possesses play by more than a thousand years. Layla an in-depth knowledge of mugham. At the and Majnun have been celebrated in tales by same time, he is renowned for his innovative Turks, , Persians, Indians, Pakistanis, and approach to tradition and his openness to Afghans. Known in many poetic renditions, experimentation. This is why it is no surprise The ill-fated lovers Layla and Majnun are often compared to Romeo and Juliet, although their story in oral tradition predates Shakespeare’s play by more than a thousand years.

that Qasimov initiated the idea of a new the mughams. Only the tar and kamancheh embodiment of Hajibeyli’s old “mugham opera.” accompany singers during mugham episodes. Qasimov shared his vision with members of In the new version, however, the role of the the Silkroad Ensemble and received a positive ensemble—with tar and kamancheh included— response. He was intimately familiar with is crucial throughout the entire piece, and Hajibeyli’s Leyli and Majnun, as he had been both the improvised and written parts of the involved in its productions in the Azerbaijan composition are firmly integrated. State Opera and Ballet Theater in the 1980s. For Layla and Majnun is a constantly changing his Silkroad work, Qasimov selected the portions and developing project. Every performance is of Hajibeyli’s score that focus on Majnun’s solo unique, and it is impossible to take a snapshot and duet scenes with Layla, the heroine, whose of this work. Yo-Yo Ma called this a “part of the role was performed by Fargana Qasimova, thrill” and described the project as “perhaps Qasimov’s daughter and student, now a highly the finest example of group intelligence at reputed mugham singer on her own. Qasimov work” (The New York Times). A reviewer of also included choral and ensemble episodes, a performance by the Silkroad Ensemble along with instrumental interludes. Based on noted, “Layla and Majnun was the apex of these selections, Silkroad Ensemble members the program. Classical music making rarely Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen, both achieves this combination of spontaneity and violinists, created a score. superb craftsmanship” (Washington Post). In the interpretation of the Silkroad Ensemble, Indeed, this composition is a result of the story of Layla and Majnun is presented in collective effort and is imbued with the spirit a condensed version: the three-and-a-half- of improvisation. Hajibeyli was aware of the hour-long opera is compressed into an hour- large cultural span of his project, in terms of long chamber piece. Hajibeyli’s five acts are its musical and literary contents. However, rearranged into six parts. These changes have Hajibeyli limited the cultural, aesthetic and resulted in a reordering and even an omission of stylistic scope of the opera to the context of many operatic episodes. Ultimately, the Silkroad his native culture. In so doing he reflected Ensemble’s alterations highlight the story’s the social and cultural expectations of early time-honoured messages. The legend of Layla 20th-century Azerbaijan as well as his own and Majnun has a strong Sufi component, with professional experience (or rather its absence, the love between a man and a woman being as Leyli and Majnun was Hajibeyli’s first work). seen as a reflection of love for God. The death The Silkroad Ensemble has expanded the resulting from separation from one’s beloved is cultural reach of Azerbaijani opera deep into a supreme fulfillment, as it takes the individual the Middle East and Central Asia. No less into the divine. In Hajibeyli’s opera, this idea importantly they have increased the Western was conveyed through the chorus “Night of elements in Hajibeyli’s score, creating a work Separation,” which opens and concludes the of global East-West significance. The new work. These episodes can be compared to the musical arrangement of Layla and Majnun is a Chorus in Greek tragedies, which comments respectful and highly artistic transformation of on events before they occur in the narrative. Hajibeyli’s “mugham” opera, now shaped by Reconstituting the Chorus as a cello solo, both creative energies coming from diverse cultural, at the beginning and at the end of the piece, stylistic and temporal sources. is one of the new arrangement’s most insightful — AIDA HUSEYNOVA interpretations: the lonely melody of the cello sounds as the voice of eternity. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music The new arrangement of Hajibeyli’s opera has Aida Huseynova has a PhD in musicology and teaches at the Indiana created a different balance between Western University Jacobs School of Music. Huseynova’s publications include : From Mugham to Opera (Indiana University and Eastern traits. In Hajibeyli’s opera, these Press, 2016). Huseynova also serves as a research advisor for Silkroad two components mostly are kept separate: under the artistic direction of Jeffrey Beecher, Nicholas Cords and the symphony orchestra plays all episodes of Shane Shanahan. Huseynova’s numerous awards include an Andrew composed music and remains silent during W. Mellon Foundation grant (2016) and a Fulbright scholarship (2007—08). MARK MORRIS MARK MORRIS was born on August 29, 1956, Morris was named a Fellow of the MacArthur in Seattle, Washington, studying there with Foundation in 1991, has received 11 honorary Verla Flowers and Perry Brunson. In the early doctorates and has taught at the University years Morris performed with the companies of Washington, Princeton University and of , Hannah Kahn, Laura Dean, Tanglewood Music Center. Morris is a member Eliot Feld and the Koleda Balkan Dance of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Ensemble. Morris formed the Mark Morris and the American Philosophical Society and Dance Group (MMDG) in 1980 and has since has served as an Advisory Board Member for created over 150 works for the company. From the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. 1988 to 1991, Morris was Director of Dance at Morris has received the Samuel H. Scripps/ Brussels’ Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, the American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime national opera house of Belgium. In 1990, Achievement, the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Morris founded the White Oak Dance Project Achievement Award for the Elevation of Music with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Much in demand as in Society, the Benjamin Franklin Laureate a ballet choreographer, Morris has created Prize for Creativity, the International Society 22 since 1986 and the works have been for the Performing Arts’ Distinguished Artist performed by companies worldwide including Award, Cal Performances Award of Distinction San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, in the Performing Arts, the Orchestra of St. Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève and the Luke’s Gift of Music Award and the 2016 Doris Royal New Zealand Ballet. Morris has been Duke Artist Award. In 2015, Morris was inducted described as “undeviating in his devotion into the Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt to music” (The New Yorker). Morris began Whitney Hall of Fame at the National Museum conducting performances for MMDG in 2006 of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York. In and has since conducted at Tanglewood 2001 Morris opened the Mark Morris Center, Lincoln Center and BAM Center in , New York to provide a (Brooklyn Academy of Music). Morris served home for the company, rehearsal space for as Music Director for the 2013 Ojai Music the dance community, outreach programs Festival. Morris also works extensively in opera, for children and seniors and a school offering directing and choreographing productions dance classes to students of all ages and

for the Metropolitan Opera, abilities. Hayward | Mat Opera, English National Opera and The PHOTO Royal Opera, Covent Garden, among others. MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP The MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP (MMDG) Reflecting Morris’ commitment to live music, formed in 1980 and gave its first performance the Dance Group has featured live musicians that year in New York City. The company’s in every performance since the formation touring schedule steadily expanded to include of the MMDG Music Ensemble in 1996. cities in the and around the MMDG regularly collaborates with renowned world and in 1986 it made its first national musicians, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist television program for the PBS series Dance Emanuel Ax, mezzo-soprano Stephanie in America. In 1988, MMDG was invited to Blythe and jazz trio The Bad Plus, as well as become the national dance company of leading orchestras and opera companies, Belgium and spent three years in residence including the Metropolitan Opera, English at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in National Opera and the London Symphony Brussels. The Dance Group returned to the Orchestra. MMDG frequently works with United States in 1991 as one of the world’s distinguished artists and designers, including leading dance companies. Based in Brooklyn, painters Robert Bordo and the late Howard New York, MMDG maintains strong ties to Hodgkin, set designers Adrianne Lobel and presenters in several cities around the world, Allen Moyer, costume designers Martin most notably to its West Coast home, Cal Pakledinaz and Isaac Mizrahi and many Performances in Berkeley, California and its others. MMDG’s film and television projects Midwest home, the Krannert Center for the include Dido and Aeneas, The Hard Nut, Performing Arts at the University of Illinois at Falling Down Stairs, two documentaries for Urbana—Champaign. MMDG also appears the UK’s South Bank Show and PBS’ Live from regularly in New York, Boston, Seattle and Lincoln Center. In 2015 Morris’ work Fairfax. In New York, the company has L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato had its performed at New York City Center’s Fall for national television premiere on PBS’ Great Dance Festival, regularly performs at Lincoln Performances. While on tour MMDG partners Center for the Performing Arts’ Mostly Mozart with local cultural institutions and community and White Light Festivals and collaborates organizations to present arts and humanities- yearly with BAM on performances and based activities for people of all ages and masterclasses. From the company’s many abilities. London seasons, it has received two Laurence Olivier Awards and a Critics’ Award for Best Foreign Dance Company. SILKROAD ENSEMBLE

Yo-Yo Ma conceived SILKROAD ENSEMBLE Today, these Grammy Award-winning artists in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid seek and practice radical cultural collaboration globalization resulted in division, it brought in many forms, creating and presenting new extraordinary possibilities for working together. music, teacher and musician training workshops Seeking to understand this dynamic, Ma and residency programs in schools, museums, began to learn about the historical Silk Road, and communities. recognizing in it a model for productive cultural Silkroad has recorded seven albums. Sing Me collaboration, for the exchange of ideas and Home, which won the 2016 Grammy Award for tradition alongside commerce and innovation. Best World Music Album was developed and In a radical experiment, Ma brought together recorded alongside the documentary feature musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co- The Music of Strangers, from Oscar-winning create a new artistic idiom, a musical language director Morgan Neville. founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world. | Liz Linder PHOTO HOWARD HODGKIN HOWARD HODGKIN was born in London in Hodgkin first worked in the theatre in 1981, 1932 and evacuated during the war to the designing the set and costumes for Richard United States, on Long Island from 1940 to Alston’s Night Music with the Ballet Rambert. 1943. Hodgkin studied at the Camberwell They later collaborated on Pulcinella, which School of Art and the Bath Academy of was filmed by the BBC and released on DVD. Art, Corsham. In 1984 Hodgkin represented For the Mark Morris Dance Group, Hodgkin Britain at the Venice Biennale and won the designed the sets for Rhymes with Silver (1997), Turner Prize the following year. Hodgkin was Kolam (2002) and Mozart Dances (2006). knighted in 1992 and made a Companion of Hodgkin is represented by Gagosian Gallery Honour in 2003. An exhibition of Hodgkin’s and has shown with them in New York, Los Paintings 1975—1995, organized by the Modern Angeles, Paris, and London. Hodgkin Art Museum of Fort Worth, opened in 1995 was passionate about and Indian at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New art. Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum exhibited York and toured to museums in Fort Worth, Hodgkin’s paintings Inspired by India along Düsseldorf and to London’s Hayward Gallery. with Indian miniatures from the artist’s A retrospective opened at the Irish Museum of collection in 2015. After All, an exhibition of Modern Art, Dublin, in Spring 2006. It traveled prints, opened the Alan Cristea Gallery in Pall

| Beowulf Sheehan | Beowulf to London’s Tate Britain and then to the Mall, London in October 2016. Hodgkin died 9 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in March 2017 in London, England. PHOTO Madrid. BIOGRAPHIES KEY ARTISTS

JAMES F. INGALLS (lighting design) has JOHNNY GANDELSMAN (musical arrangement) designed several pieces for Mark Morris hails from a musical family from Moscow, by including Orfeo ed Euridice (Metropolitan way of Israel, whose musical voice reflects Opera); King Arthur (English National Opera); the artistic collaborations they have been a Sylvia, Sandpaper Ballet, Maelstrom and part of since moving to the United States in Pacific (San Francisco Ballet); Platée (Royal 1995. Through work with such artists as Yo-Yo Opera House, Covent Garden and New York Ma, Bono, Osvaldo Golijov, David Byrne, Bela City Opera); Mozart Dances, Romeo and Fleck, Kayhan Kalhor, Suzanne Vega, James Juliet: On Motifs of Shakespeare, L’Allegro, Levine, Mark Morris, Alim Qasimov and Fargana il Penseroso ed il Moderato and Dido and Qasimova, Nigel Kennedy and Martin Hayes Aeneas (MMDG). Recent designs for dance Gandelsman integrates a wide range of creative include The Nutcracker (Pacific Northwest sensibilities. Combining classical training with Ballet/Seattle); Twyla Tharp’s 50th Anniversary a desire to reach beyond the boundaries of Tour (US and NY State Theatre); The Sleeping the concert hall, and a voracious interest in the Beauty, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky music of our times, Gandelsman developed (Teatro alla Scala Ballet and ABT); Celts, a unique style amongst today’s violinists, one choreographed by Lila York (Boston Ballet); Sea that according to the Boston Globe, possesses Lark and Death and the Maiden (Paul Taylor “a balletic lightness of touch and a sense Dance Company). Recent theatre work includes of whimsy and imagination.” A passionate Desdemona, directed by Peter Sellars (UCLA/ advocate for new music, Gandelsman has CAP, Melbourne and Sydney Festivals), Druid premiered dozens of works written for Brooklyn Shakespeare, directed by Garry Hynes (Galway, Rider and Silkroad Ensemble. In 2012—13, Irish tour and Lincoln Center Festival). Ingalls Gandelsman premiered works by Lev “Ljova” often collaborates with Melanie Rios Glaser Zhurbin, Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky, Vijay Iyer, Bela and The Wooden Floor dancers in Santa Ana, Fleck, Daniel Cords, Rubin Kodheli, Dana Lyn, California. Gabriel Kahane, Colin Jacobsen, Shara Worden, John Zorn, Christina Courtin, Ethan Iverson, MAILE OKAMURA (costume realization) studied Padma Newsome, Gregory Saunier, Evan primarily with Lynda Yourth at the American Ziporyn, Bill Frisell and Nik Bartsch as well as a Ballet School in San Diego, California. Okamura violin concerto by Gonzalo Grau, commissioned was a member of Boston Ballet II and Ballet for Gandelsman by Community Music Works. Arizona before moving to New York to study . Okamura has also had the COLIN JACOBSEN (musical arrangement) is pleasure of working with choreographers Neta “one of the most interesting figures on the Pulvermacher, Zvi Gotheiner, Gerald Casel classical music scene.” (Washington Post) A and frequently collaborates as dancer and founding member of two game-changing, costume designer with John Heginbotham. audience-expanding ensembles—the string Okamura has designed costumes for three Mark quartet and orchestra The Morris works to date—Words, A Forest and The Knights—is also a touring member of Yo-Yo Trout for MMDG and The Letter V for Houston Ma’s venerated Silkroad Ensemble and an Ballet. Maile and Colin Jacobsen are the proud Avery Fisher Career Grant-winning violinist. parents of Mimi Hanako, born in 2015. Okamura Jacobsen’s work as a composer developed danced with MMDG from 1998 to 2015. as a natural outgrowth of chamber and orchestral collaborations. Jointly inspired by JOHAN HENCKENS (set realization) became encounters with leading exponents of non- the Director of Technical Production of MMDG western traditions and by Jacobsen’s own in 1989, during the company’s three-year classical heritage, most recent compositions residency at the Koninklijke Muntschouwburg for Brooklyn Rider include Three Miniatures— in Brussels, Belgium. “vivacious, deftly drawn sketches” (New York Times)—which were written for the reopening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Islamic art galleries. Jacobsen collaborated with ’s Siamak Aghaei to write a Persian folk-inflected composition, Ascending Bird, performing as FARGANA QASIMOVA (mugham vocals), soloist with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra at Alim Qasimov’s daughter and protégée is an the Sydney Opera House in a concert that was accomplished mugham singer. Qasimov has streamed live by millions of viewers worldwide. been the major influence in Qasimova’s life Jacobsen’s work for dance and theatre includes and career. Qasimova grew up with sounds of Chalk and Soot, a collaboration with Dance mugham and verses from the classical poetry Heginbotham and music for Compagnia de’ of Azerbaijan and from the age of four, often Colombari’s theatrical production of Walt performed along Qasimov at home, and first Whitman’s Song of Myself. joined on tour at the age of sixteen. Qasimova studied mugham at the Azerbaijan National ALIM QASIMOV (mugham vocals) is a Conservatory (1996—2000) and performs prominent mugham singer named a “Living frequently with Qasimov both in Azerbaijan and National Treasure” of Azerbaijan. Qasimov internationally and has earned recognition as a has been passionate about mugham since master of mugham. In 1999, Love’s Deep Ocean, early childhood, but did not pursue a career a CD featuring Qasimov and Qasimova, was in music until the age of 19 after various jobs released by Network Medien in Frankfurt, as an agricultural worker and driver. Qasimov Germany. In 2002 Qasimova first appeared studied at the Asaf Zeynalli Music College as a soloist at the Women’s Voices Festival in (1978—82) and the Azerbaijan University of Arts Belgium. (1982—89). Qasimov’s teacher was well-known COLIN FOWLER (music director) began musical mugham singer Aghakhan Abdullayev. Qasimov study at the age of five in Kansas City and perceives and presents mugham not only as an went on to study at the prestigious Interlochen ancient art and a part of Azerbaijan’s musical Arts Academy. Fowler studied at The Juilliard and cultural heritage, but also as a constantly School, receiving a Bachelor of Music in 2003 developing tradition. Qasimov’s performing and a Master of Music in 2005. While at Juilliard, style is unique, combining deep knowledge Fowler studied piano with Abbey Simon, of centuries-old rules of mugham with organ with Gerre Hancock and Paul Jacobs, challenging innovations, willingly juxtaposing harpsichord with Lionel Party and conducting mugham with other music styles, such as jazz with James dePriest and Judith Clurman. A and contemporary composition. Qasimov versatile musician and conductor, Fowler works was awarded the International IMC-UNESCO in many areas of the music scene in New York Music Prize in 1999 in recognition of musical City. Fowler is a veteran of numerous Broadway contributions to world peace. Qasimov’s shows, most recently performing in the Tony numerous awards also include the title of the Award winning musical Jersey Boys. A seasoned People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, the highest artistic church musician, Fowler is currently the rank in the country. On Qasimov’s 50th birthday organist at Marble Collegiate Church on Fifth in 2007, the President of Azerbaijan awarded Avenue and also leads services and concerts Qasimov the Medal of Glory. at Park Avenue Synagogue, serving as Music Director since 2012. As a classical soloist and collaborative artist, Fowler has performed and recorded with many world-renowned musicians and ensembles, including Deborah Voigt and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Fowler began to collaborate with the MMDG in 2005 and has since then performed over 40 pieces with the company on almost every keyboard instrument possible, including the harmonium and toy piano. Fowler has conducted performances of Mozart Dances, Acis and Galatea and The Hard Nut. Hailed by the New York Times as “invaluable” and “central to Morris’ music”, Fowler was appointed music director in 2013. BIOGRAPHIES ARTISTS

MICA BERNAS (dancer), originally from Manila, DURELL R. COMEDY (dancer), a native of Prince Philippines, trained at the Cultural Center of Georges County, Maryland, began dancing the Philippines Dance School. Bernas later at the age of six with Spirit Wings Dance joined Ballet Philippines as member of the Company. Comedy graduated from the Visual corps de ballet, performing as a soloist from & Performing Arts program of Suitland High 2001—06. Since moving to New York in 2006, School in 2004 and magna cum laude from Bernas has worked with Marta Renzi Dance, George Mason University, receiving a Bachelor Armitage Gone Dance, Gallim Dance, Barkin/ of Fine Arts in dance performance in 2008. Selissen Project and Carolyn Dorfman Dance Since then, Comedy has worked and performed (2007—13). Bernas was a guest artist with the with The Metropolitan Opera, Troy Powell and Limón Dance Company, performing at the Kyle Abraham, among others. Comedy was a 2013 Bienal Internacional de Danza de Cali in member of the Limón Dance Company from Bogotá, Colombia; Lincoln Center’s David H. 2009—15, performing principal and soloist roles. Koch Theater; and at The for the Comedy also appeared as a soloist dancer in company’s 70th Anniversary in 2015. Bernas also Baltimore Opera Company’s Aida and worked teaches at the Limón Institute and has been on with Washington National Opera from 2013—14 the faculty for BIMA at Brandeis University since as a principal dancer and dance captain. 2011. Bernas joined MMDG as an apprentice in Comedy was a former fellowship student at the January 2017 and became a full-time company Ailey School and a 2014 adjunct faculty member member in August 2017. at George Mason University’s School of Dance. Comedy joined MMDG as an apprentice in 2015 SAM BLACK (dancer) is originally from Berkeley, and became a company member in 2016. California, and began studying tap at the age of nine with Katie Maltsberger. Black SHAWN CONLEY (bass) was born in Honolulu, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from won a position with the Honolulu Symphony SUNY Purchase and currently teaches MMDG while in high school and went on to earn master classes and Dance for PD®. Black first degrees in Music Performance from Rice appeared with MMDG in 2005 and became a University. Conley won the 2009 International company member in 2007. Society of Bassists Jazz Competition, was a semi-nalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz KARLIE BUDGE (dancer) grew up in Knoxville, Competition and received a Wagoner Tennessee, dancing with the Tennessee Fellowship. Conley has performed with Sting, Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE). Budge Peter Gabriel, Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor among many others. Conley teaches at the of Arts in dance and Bachelor of Statistics in Hawaii Contrabass Festival and regularly 2016 from Case Western Reserve University performs with The Hot Club of Detroit, The and danced with Graham 2 dance company. NOW Ensemble and The Knights. Budge has performed works by Mark Morris, Pascal Rioult, Larry Keigwin, Martha Graham, BRANDON COURNAY (dancer) is originally Ted Shawn, Bertram Ross, Virginie Mecene, from Walled Lake, Michigan and received a Adam Barruch, Michael Mao and Randy Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School. Duncan. Budge has presented choreography As a freelance artist, Cournay performed in throughout New York City in Playscape2016, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and NEXT@Graham, NYC10, SoloDuo Festival and with MMDG, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, four Martha Graham School showings. Budge New York Theatre Ballet, The Chase Brock received the Pearl Lang Award for Excellence in Experience, Schoen Movement Company, Choreography in 2017. Budge joined MMDG as Dance Heginbotham and Morphoses. TV/ an apprentice September 2018. Film/industrial credits include PBS’ Great Performances, Musical Chairs (HBO), Puma, Sesame Street and Target. Cournay has been the Associate Choreographer for My Fair Lady (Bay Street), The Wildness (Off-Broadway), Coriolanus (Off-Broadway) and I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk. After dancing with the company for seven years, Cournay JOESPH GRAMLEY (percussion) is a multi- became Associate Artistic Director of KEIGWIN percussionist and composer who has performed + COMPANY. Cournay joined MMDG as an internationally as a soloist and with major apprentice in 2018. symphony orchestras. Gramley’s first solo record, American Deconstruction, a rendition DOMINGO ESTRADA, JR. (dancer), a native of of five milestone works in the modern multi- Victoria, Texas, studied martial arts and earned percussion canon, was released in 2000 and a black belt in 1994. Estrada danced ballet reissued in 2006. A second solo recording, folklorico through church for 11 years. Estrada Global Percussion, was released in 2005. earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet and Gramley is associate professor of music and modern dance from Texas Christian University director of Percussion Studies at the University and had the honor of working with the late of Michigan. Gramley frequently tours with The Fernando Bujones. During undergraduate Knights as well as with organist Clive Driskill- studies, Estrada attended the American Dance Smith in the duo Organized Rhythm. Their CD Festival and had the privilege of performing Beaming Music appeared in 2008. Skylight, a classic work by choreographer Laura Dean. Estrada debuted with MMDG in 2007 and LAUREN GRANT (dancer), honored with a New became a company member in 2009. Estrada York Dance and Performance “Bessie” award would like to thank God, their family and all who for their career with the MMDG, has danced support their passion. with MMDG since 1996, appearing in over 60 of Morris’ works. In addition to staging Morris’ LESLEY GARRISON (dancer) grew up in repertory on the MMDG and at universities, Swansea, Illinois and received early dance Grant teaches ballet and modern technique for training at the Center of Creative Arts in St. numerous professional dance companies and Louis, Missouri and Interlochen Arts Academy in schools around the globe and is an adjunct Interlochen, Michigan. Garrison studied at the faculty member at Montclair State University. Rotterdamse Dansacademie in The Netherlands Grant’s writing has been published in the and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Purchase journal Dance Education in Practice, Ballet College. Garrison first performed with MMDG in Review, and InfiniteBody. 2007 and became a company member in 2011. Grant also serves as a panelist for the New Garrison teaches at The School at the Mark York State Council on the Arts. Grant earned Morris Dance Center and for MMDG’s Dance for a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Montclair PD® program. State University (where Grant was a member MARIO GOTOH (viola) is a Grammy Award- of the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society) winning musician and composer who has and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from distinguished dual roles as an innovative New York University’s Tisch School of the violinist and a violist with a remarkably versatile Arts. Grant is a recipient of the prestigious performance style in all genres of music. American Association of University Women Gotoh is a member of The Knights (chamber Career Development Grant, the Sono Osato ensemble), performs and tours with Yo-Yo Ma, Scholarship for Graduate Studies and the Silkroad Ensemble, Garrison Keillor & A Prairie Caroline Newhouse Grant—all in support of Home Companion and MMDG. Gotoh holds scholarly pursuits. Originally from Highland two Doctorates in violin and viola performance Park, Illinois, Grant lives in Brooklyn, New York from Stony Brook University and is a passionate with partner David Leventhal (former MMDG teacher. Gotoh is the original violinist-violist in dancer and current Dance for PD® Program the Broadway hit and soundtrack Hamilton: An Director) and their child, born in 2012. American Musical. Gotoh is inspired by interests SARAH HAARMANN (dancer) grew up in in the visual arts, writing, literature, swimming, Macungie, Pennsylvania and received training cooking and exploring cultures worldwide. at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the mariogotoh.com Performing Arts under the direction of Kimberly Maniscalco. Haarmann graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Art in dance from Marymount Manhattan College in 2012. Haarmann has had the pleasure of performing Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Man has with Pam Tanowitz Dance, Jessica Lang Dance, performed in recital and as soloist with major Dylan Crossman Dans(ce), Pat Catterson, orchestras around the world. Man has recorded Denisa Musilova and Bill Young. Haarmann more than 40 albums, five of which have been joined MMDG as an apprentice in January 2017 nominated for Grammy Awards. Man was and became a full-time company member in named Musical America’s 2013 Instrumentalist of August 2017. the Year, but the best measure of achievement RAUF ISLAMOV (kamancheh) was born in Baku, is that Man’s instrument, which dates back two Azerbaijan and studied kemancheh at the Asaf thousand years, is no longer an exotic curiosity. Zeynalli Music College, the Azerbaijan National DALLAS McMURRAY, from El Cerrito, California, Conservatory and received a Master’s from the began dancing at age four, studying jazz, Azerbaijan State Art University. Islamov has tap and acrobatics with Katie Maltsberger toured widely with the Alim Qasimov Ensemble. and ballet with Yukiko Sakakura. McMurray DEEPA LIEGEL (dancer) grew up in Seattle, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Washington dancing and performing with the California Institute of the Arts. McMurray Cornish Preparatory Dance, Leela Kathak performed with the Limón Dance Company in Dance and Seattle Theatre Group. Liegel addition to works by Jiří Kylián, Alonzo King, graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Robert Moses and . McMurray Arts in dance performance and a minor in performed with MMDG as an apprentice in arts management from Southern Methodist 2006 and became a company member in 2007. University. Now based in New York City, Liegel MIRALAM MIRALAMOV (mugham vocals, is a freelance dancer and model. Liegel has understudy) was born in 1988 in the Shamakhi apprenticed with the Limón Dance Company district of Azerbaijan. Miralamov studied and performed with Barkha Dance Company, in the Asaf Zeynalli Music College in Baku, Broadway Bares, Catherine Cabeen/Hyphen Azerbaijan and in 2012 joined the Azerbaijan and others. Liegel joined MMDG as an National Conservatory as a member of the apprentice September 2018. graduate program. Miralamov studied with the AARON LOUX (dancer) grew up in Seattle, outstanding masters of Azerbaijani mugham, Washington and began dancing at the Creative such as Alim Qasimov and Zabit Nabizade. In Dance Center as a member of Kaleidoscope, 2011, Miralamov was awarded first place at the a youth modern dance company. Loux began Mugham Competition held by the Azerbaijan classical training at the Cornish College State Television company and the Heydar Preparatory Dance Program and received a Aliyev Foundation. In 2013, Miralamov became Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School in winner at the National Mugham Competition 2009. Loux danced at The Metropolitan Opera and International Mugham Competition and and with Arc Dance Company before joining frequently appears as a soloist on Azerbaijan MMDG in 2010. National Television. Miralamov has successfully introduced Azerbaijani mugham to the LAUREL LYNCH (dancer) began dance training audiences in , Georgia, Germany, , at Petaluma School of Ballet in California. Lynch Norway, , Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, the moved to New York to attend The Juilliard United States and many other countries. School, performing works by Robert Battle, Margie Gillis, José Limón and Ohad Naharin. JESSIE MONTGOMERY (violin) is a New After graduation Lynch danced for Dušan Týnek York native violinist, composer and music Dance Theatre, Sue Bernhard Danceworks educator, performing regularly among and Pat Catterson. Lynch joined MMDG as an New York’s classical and new music scenes. apprentice in 2006 and became a company Montgomery is currently a member of the member in 2007. Many thanks to Gene and highly acclaimed Catalyst Quartet, raved by Becky. the New York Times as “invariably energetic and finely burnished... playing with earthly WU MAN (pipa) is a pipa virtuoso, composer vigor.” Montgomery was a co-founding member and an ambassador of Chinese music, creating of PUBLIQuartet, an ensemble made up of a new role for the lute-like instrument in both composers and arrangers, featuring their traditional and contemporary music. Brought own music as well as that of emerging and up in the Pudong school of pipa playing, Man established composers. Montgomery was also a became the first person to receive a master’s member of the Providence String Quartet from degree in pipa performance from the Central 2004—09, quartet in residence of Community MusicWorks. Ensemble experiences have lead and Nimbus Dance Works performing works by to collaborations with The Orion String Quartet, Alvin Ailey, Alejandro Cerrudo, William Forsythe, The Miro String Quartet and The Knights. Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite and Twyla Tharp. Montgomery has also collaborated with several Prather received an award from the National avant-garde artists such as clarinetist Don Young Arts Foundation for Modern Dance in Byron, Butch Morris and William Parker. 2014. Prather joined MMDG as an apprentice September 2018. KAMILA NABIYEVA (mugham vocals, understudy) was born in 1997 in the Khanagah BRANDON RANDOLPH (dancer) began training village in the Ismayilli district of Azerbaijan. with the School of Carolina Ballet Theater in In 2004, Nabiyeva became a winner at the Greenville, South Carolina, under the direction Children’s Mugham Competition held by the of Hernan Justo. At age 14, Randolph was Kainat Group. Nabiyeva studied at the Baku accepted into the South Carolina Governor’s Humanitarian College and in 2014, joined School for the Arts and Humanities, studying the Azerbaijan State University of Art and with Stanislav Issaev and Bobby Barnett. Culture. Nabiyeva studies with the famous Randolph received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. in female mugham performer of Azerbaijan, dance from Purchase College in 2012. There Gulyanag Mammadova. In 2011, Nabiyeva was Randolph had the opportunity to perform with awarded at the Mugham Competition held by Dance Heginbotham as well as repertory by the Azerbaijan State Television company and Stephen Petronio, Lar Lubovitch, Paul Taylor the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and frequently and George Balanchine. Randolph began appears as a soloist on Azerbaijani National working with MMDG in 2013 and became a Television. Kamila has successfully introduced company member in 2014. Azerbaijani mugham to the audiences in Austria, Italy, Netherland, Norway, Macedonia, NICOLE SABELLA (dancer) is originally from Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, the United States and Clearwater, Florida, studying at the Academy many other countries. of Ballet Arts and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School under Suzanne KAREN OUZOUNIAN (cello) has been B. Pomerantzeff. In 2009, Sabella graduated described as “radiant” and “expressive” from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, (The New York Times) and “nothing less than Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Fine gorgeous” (Memphis Commercial Appeal). Arts in modern dance performance and the Ouzounian approaches music-making with “Outstanding Performance in Modern Dance” a deeply communicative and passionate Award. Sabella was a performer with Zane spirit. Ouzounian is a founding member of the Booker’s Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative. Aizuri Quartet, currently the string quartet- Sabella first performed with MMDG in 2013 and in-residence at the Curtis Institute of Music, became a company member in 2015. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. CHRISTINA SAHAIDA (dancer) grew up in Ouzounian’s commitment to adventurous Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and began early repertoire and the collaborative process has dance training at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre led to membership in the Grammy Award- School. In 2012, Sahaida graduated with honors nominated, self-conducted chamber orchestra from Butler University, receiving a Bachelor A Far Cry and the critically-acclaimed new of Fine Arts in dance performance. Sahaida music collective counter)induction. Additionally has worked with Ballet Quad Cities, Texture Ouzounian has performed with such ensembles Contemporary Ballet and most recently the Big as The Knights, Trio Cavatina, IRIS Orchestra Muddy Dance Company in St. Louis, Missouri. and as guest principal of the St. Paul Chamber Sahaida joined the MMDG as an apprentice in Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of July 2017. Philadelphia. BILLY SMITH (dancer) grew up in Fredericksburg, MINGA PRATHER (dancer), a Dallas, Texas Virginia and attended George Mason native, received training from Booker T. University under a full academic and dance Washington High School for the Performing and talent scholarship. Smith graduated magna Visual Arts and later graduated with honours cum laude in 2007 and received achievement in dance from the Ailey/Fordham Bachelor of awards in performance, choreography and Fine Arts program. Prather has had the pleasure academic endeavors. While at George Mason of performing with Hubbard Smith performed the works of Mark Morris, Chicago, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, Doug Varone, , Larry Keigwin, Susan Marshall and Susan Shields. Smith’s own piece, 3-Way Stop, was selected to open the 2006 American College Dance Festival Gala at Ohio State University and Smith’s original choreography for a production of Bye Bye Birdie garnered much critical praise. An actor as well, Smith’s regional theater credits include Tulsa in Gypsy, Mistoffelees in and Dream Curly in Oklahoma!. Smith danced with Parsons Dance from 2007—2010. Smith joined MMDG as a company member in 2010. KOJIRO UMEZAKI (shakuhachi) is a Japanese- Danish performer and composer originally from Tokyo. Renowned as a virtuoso of the shakuhachi, Umezaki’s work also encompasses traditional and technology-based music mediated by various forms of electronics. Umezaki’s recent commissioned works and producer credits include those for Brooklyn Rider, Joseph Gramley, Huun Huur Tu and Silkroad Ensemble. Umezaki is currently associate professor of music at the University of California, Irvine, and is a core faculty member of the Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology (ICIT) group. ZAKI VALIYEV (tar) was born in Ganja, Azerbaijan. Valiyev studied at the Ganja Music College and received a Bachelor’s degree at the Azerbaijan National Conservatory. Valiyev is a member of and tours extensively with the Alim Qasimov Ensemble. NOAH VINSON (dancer) is originally from Springfield, Illinois and received a Bachelor of Arts in dance from Columbia College Chicago. Vinson was named a Dance Magazine “Dancer on the Rise” in 2009 and assisted Mark Morris in the creation of a work for Houston Ballet, The Letter V. Vinson began dancing with MMDG in 2002 and became a company member in 2004. PHOTO | Mat Hayward PRODUCTION CREDITS SILKROAD STAFF MARK MORRIS DANCE ASSISTANT TO GROUP STAFF HOWARD HODGKIN Andy Barker CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Jeffrey Beecher CONSULTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Aida Huseynova EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mark Morris Eduardo A. Braniff REHEARSAL ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rita Donahue CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Nancy Umanoff Nicholas Cords PRODUCTION SILKROAD ASSOCIATE Backdrop painted by Hannah Dardashti DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL Scenic Arts Studios PRODUCTION PRODUCER AND ARTISTIC Johan Henckens Special thanks to PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Joe Forbes, Susan Jackson Liz Keller-Tripp MUSIC DIRECTOR and Richard Prouse Colin Fowler DIRECTOR OF Stools built by COMMUNICATIONS LIGHTING SUPERVISOR Matthew Eggleton Ben Mandelkern Nick Kolin Costumes built by LEARNING ADVISOR SOUND SUPERVISOR Eric Winterling, Inc. Cristina Pato Rory Murphy Costume fabrics CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR COSTUME COORDINATOR digitally printed by Shane Shanahan StephanieADMINISTRATION Sleeper Dyenamix, Inc. MANAGER OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jessica Shuttleworth Elizabeth Fox COMPTROLLER PAYROLL MANAGER/BENEFITS Ed Sweeney ADMINISTRATOR DIRECTOR OF LEARNING Rebecca Hunt Lori Taylor CONTROLLER Jessenia Pena FINANCE MANAGER Natalia Kurylak FINANCE ASSOCIATE Emma Clemens FINANCE INTERN Heleny Rodriguez

Booking Representation Michael• Mushalla Major support for the Mark Morris Dance Evan Osnos, PARC Foundation, Poss Family (Double M Arts & Events) Media and General Group is provided by American Express, Foundation, Diane E. Solway and David Consultation Services• William Murray (Better Anonymous, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects Resnicow, Resnicow + Associates, Margaret Attitude, Inc.) Legal Counse • l Mark Selinger & Planners, LLP, Frederick and Morley Bland, Conklin and David Sabel, The Fan Fox and (McDermott, Will & Emery) Accountant Booth Ferris Foundation, Allan S. and Rhea Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Iris Cohen O’Connor• Davies, Munns & Dobbins, LLP K. Bufferd, Suzy Kellems Dominik, Doris Duke and Mark Selinger, The SHS Foundation, The Orthopaedist David S. Weiss, • M.D. (NYU Charitable Foundation, Judith R. and Alan H. Shubert Foundation, Jane and R.L. Stine, The Langone Medical Center)• Physical Therapist Fishman, Shelby and Frederick Gans, Isaac White Cedar Fund and Friends of MMDG. Marshall Hagins, PT, PhD Hilot Therapist Mizrahi and Arnold Germer, Howard Gilman Additional support provided by Amazon, Jeffrey Cohen Foundation, Hearst Foundations, Sandy Kenneth Aidekman Family Foundation, Lily Hill, Elizabeth Amy Liebman, The Pierre and Thanks to Maxine Morris. Auchincloss Foundation, Inc., Bossak/Heilbron Tana Matisse Foundation, Suzanne Berman Charitable Foundation, Cavali Foundation, Sincerest thanks to all the dancers for their and Timothy J. McClimon, McDermott, Will Chervenak-Nunnalle Foundation, Con Edison, dedication, commitment and incalculable & Emery, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Joseph and Joan Cullman Foundation for the contribution to the work. Meyer Sound/Helen and John Meyer, Ellen Arts, Inc., Dau Family Foundation, The Gladys and Arnold Offner, Sarabeth Berman and Krieble Delmas Foundation, Estée Lauder COMPANY MANAGER MARKETING & DANCE FOR PD® Jen Rossi COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS ASSISTANT ASSOCIATE GENERAL Julie Dietel Amy Bauman MANAGER WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA DANCE FOR PD® PROGRAMS Geoff Chang COORDINATOR ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTANT COMPANY Joleen Richards Natasha Frater MANAGER MARKETING ASSISTANT DANCE FOR PD® INTERN Julia Weber TrevorEDUCATION Izzo ChristineDANCE CENTER Hands OPERATIONS ARCHIVE PROJECT MANAGER Stephanie Neel ARCHIVE PROJECT ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OPERATIONS MANAGER Sandra Aberkalns Sarah Marcus Elise Gaugert ARCHIVE PROJECT METADATA & SCHOOL DIRECTOR FACILITIES MANAGER CATALOGING COORDINATOR Kelsey Ley Mark Sacks Regina Carra EDUCATION PROGRAMS RENTAL PROGRAMS ARCHIVE DIGITIZATION COORDINATOR MANAGER ASSISTANT Rachel Merry Annie Woller Kareem Woods COMMUNITY EDUCATION OPERATIONS COORDINATOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS MANAGER Aria Roach Alexandra Cook OPERATIONS/EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS FELLOW Michelle Amador ASSISTANT Alexia Maitland MANAGER OF INDIVIDUAL Jessica Pearson FRONT DESK MANAGER GIVING SCHOOL LIAISON Tamika Daniels David Gracia Alexandria Ryahl FRONT DESK SUPERVISOR MANAGER OF INSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION INTERNS Dominique Terrell GIVING Janelle Barry FRONT DESK ASSOCIATES Ann Marie Rubin Marie Saint-Cyr Hunter Darnell DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE OUTREACH DIRECTOR Roxie Maisel MakaylaMARKETING Santiago Eva Nichols Tiffany McCue DANCE FOR PD® Kareem Woods PROGRAM DIRECTOR MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING David Leventhal Hector Mazariegos Karyn LeSuer DANCE FOR PD® PROGRAM James O’Neill DATABASE MANAGER & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER Orlando Rivera Georgia Tan Maria Portman Kelly Virginia Ross Arturo Velazquez

Companies, ExxonMobile Corporate Matching Foundation, Inc., Jennifer P. Goodale and The Mark Morris Dance Group is a member Gift Program, Google Matching Gift Program, Mark Russell, San Antonio Area Foundation, of Dance/USA and the Downtown Brooklyn Guggenheim Partners Matching Gifts, The Schneer Foundation, SingerXenos Wealth Arts Alliance. Harkness Foundation for Dance, Marta Heflin Management, Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Layla and Majnun © 2016 Discalced, Inc Foundation, IBM Corporation Matching Gifts Fund, Viad Corp and Zeitz Foundation. Layla and Majnun titles, Aida Huseynova Program, Jaffe Family Foundation, JPMorgan The Mark Morris Dance Group is supported in © 2016 Chase & Co., Kinder Morgan Foundation, part by public funds from the New York City The Langworthy Foundation, Leatherwood The Silkroad Ensemble arrangement of Layla Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. and Majnun was made possible in part by with the City Council, Mayor Bill de Blasio, MacArthur Foundation, Materials for the Arts, the generous support of the Qatar Museums Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, Megara Foundation, Merck Partnership for Authority, with additional support from the Council Member Helen Rosenthal, the New Giving, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Morgan Academie Musicale de Villecroze and the York City Department for the Aging, the New Stanley & Co., Harris A. Berman & Ruth National Endowment for the Arts. York State Council on the Arts with the support Nemzoff Family Foundation, The L. E. Phillips of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York For more information on Layla and Majnun Family Foundation, The Pinkus Foundation, State Legislature and the National Endowment visit LaylaandMajnun.org Jerome Robbins Foundation, Rolex, Billy Rose for the Arts. ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

At Arts Centre Melbourne, we bring people Melbourne International Arts Festival is one of together for remarkable experiences. Sitting Australia’s leading international arts festivals and beneath our iconic Spire, we’re Australia’s has an outstanding reputation for commissioning largest and busiest performing arts centre. and presenting unique international and Each year we stage more than 4,000 Australian dance, theatre, music, visual arts, performances and public events and welcome free and outdoor events each October. over 3 million people through our doors. In fact, At the heart of Melbourne’s culture of creativity, as a cultural and architectural landmark in our we curate unique experiences that bring people nation’s cultural capital, we’ve showcased the together and break new ground in culture and best of Australian and international performing the arts. arts for over 30 years. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR artscentremelbourne.com.au Jonathan Holloway Kath M Mainland CBE 03—21 OCTOBER 2018

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Melbourne International Arts Festival and Arts Centre Melbourne acknowledges PHOTO

the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay COVER our respects to the Kulin Elders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Don’t miss the UK’s most extraordinary circus company under the big top this October ★★★★★ — WESTERN MAIL ★★★★★ — THE ARGUS ★★★★★ — BROADWAY BABY

NOFIT STATE CIRCUS

LEXICON NOW BOOK WED 03—SUN 21 OCTOBER Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria festival.melbourne