The large-scale walking opera “The Head and the Load” by visual artist William Kentridge (CRF 1996) and composer Philip Miller (CRF 2019) will be performed from December, 1 – 3 at the Ziff Ballet Opera House in Miami, FL.
Taking its title from a Ghanaian proverb — “the head and the load are the troubles of the neck” — this epic theatrical-music piece tells the neglected story of the millions of African porters and carriers who served British, French and German forces during the First World War. This has been called Kentridge’s most ambitious project to date, and draws on every aspect of his practice to combine music, dance, film projections, mechanized sculptures and shadow play in a visionary theatrical alchemy.
This opera sees Kentridge work with his longtime collaborator Philip Miller, one of South Africa’s leading composers, and choreographer and principal dancer Gregory Maqoma to create what the artist describes as “an interrupted musical procession.” This rich and multilayered performance features an international cast of singers, dancers and performers – a majority directly from South Africa. Miller’s score is performed by musicians from the ever-adventurous, New York-based chamber orchestra The Knights, who are joined by musicians from Italy, South Africa and Guinea. Miller’s powerful and evocative compositions offer a perfect complement to Kentridge’s imaginative work.
Get your tickets here.