Los Angeles Philharmonic/Gustavo Dudamel

Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil give a landmark performance of Beethoven’s Fidelio with Deaf West Theatre, in which the drama is played out between Deaf actors, with signed recitatives and arias (IS).

Beethoven experienced hearing loss from a relatively early age and went on to write some of his most astounding music while completely deaf. There can be few more powerful interpretations of his music, then, than by a cast from Deaf West Theatre, with the White Hands Choir of Venezuela, performing it through the poetic and expressive power of sign language. Fidelio is Beethoven’s only opera, and this performance offers an opportunity to engage with the score in an entirely new way.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1991, Deaf West Theatre, led by DJ Kurs, is the artistic bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds, garnering a stunning collection of accolades including no fewer than five Tony Awards. This undertaking was conceived by Dudamel with director Alberto Arvelo to explore this opera’s themes of freedom and the fight to overcome adversity.

Tagged with: Classical music Barbican Presents Los Angeles Philharmonic

This concert includes sung German, surtitles in English, and performed using International Sign (IS)

This performance will finish at approximately 10pm, including a 20-minute interval

Produced by the Barbican

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Free pre-concert talk (BSL interpreted)

5.30pm, Auditorium 1

Before the concert in the Hall, members of the Fidelio cast (LA Phil, Deaf West Theatre, White Hands Choir) guide you through the evening’s music and concept, with an informal Q&A session to follow. Moderated by Paula Garfield (Deafinitely Theatre).

Please note this talk will be in BSL and spoken English with interpretation for both. Free to attend, limited number of seats so priority given to the evening’s concert ticket holders.