Necessary Monsters

Allegorical characters are vivified in Necessary Monsters, a theatrically staged concert inspired by the fantastic creatures depicted in Jorge Luis Borges’ The Book of Imaginary Beings. This new work, co-commissioned by the MCA, is composed by Carla Kihlstedt, a vocalist, composer, and classically trained violinist who is active in numerous groups including Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and Tin Hat Trio. Scored for an ensemble of seven, the musical cadre dons elaborate costumes, bestowing rich visual content to the vibrant stage and, in Kihlstedt’s words, taking the audience on a "guided tour through a zoo of imaginary creatures."