Symphonie Fantastique

Third-generation puppeteer Basil Twist has called puppetry “a very simple form of magic.” His signature work, Symphonie Fantastique, is a bewitching underwater marvel combining puppetry with the powerful insinuations of music, dance and abstract art.

Set to the five movements of Hector Berlioz’s work by the same name, the abstract hour-long work is performed entirely in a specially constructed 1,000-gallon water tank, using mirrors, slides, dyes, blacklight, overhead projections, air bubbles, latex fishing lures and other materials.

For this performance, Twist reunites with pianist Christopher O’Riley, who will provide live piano accompaniment using a specially arranged version of Berlioz’s symphonic music.