Cheikh Lo was a very fun, high energy concert. The musicians were really talented and it was definitely a nice change of genre. I wish that the venue had been different. A lot of the audience members were dancing in their seats and others were in the aisles. It would have been great if people had been encouraged to dance or even just had the space to do so. Sitting in your seats quietly and simply clapping at the ends of songs wasn’t really socially appropriate for this performance.

What an intriguing program! The two pieces that fascinated me the most were the Cage and the Adams. Though I enjoyed taking in the Cage it really made me ask myself some tough questions. Is it art? (Yes, I believe so). Is it good art? (I’m more unsure about my answer there). Was it entertaining? (Most definitely). I really loved the Adams. It was the first piece San Francisco has played all weekend that I knew I would enjoy performing. The quartet was so fun and inspiring to watch and the piece was full of moments of excitement a beauty. Another amazing performance by the SFS!

I am so glad I braved the weather to attend this incredible performance! My mind was blown by The Anderson Project. Similar to Einstein on the Beach, I walked away in awe and can’t stop thinking about what I experienced last night. Yves Jacques is one of the most talented actors I have ever seen. His character changes and costume switches were unbelievable. Furthermore, I feel as if this show has redefined what modern opera is capable of. The use of modern technology in film, lights, scenery, etc. has made me realize how we are too often stuck in the past when we attend traditional opera performances. Thanks, UMS for bringing something so cool to Ann Arbor!

Brittany Cooper

Though I am not always opposed to videos accompanying music, I have to agree with the comments above. I think that the video could made its point in a less eerie, disruptive and confusing way. There are numerous appropriate artistic ways to express the harm mankind causes nature. None of them include midgets, dead pregnant women, animal heads, etc.

As a music major, I get asked everyday, “What did the composer want?” With this question in mind, I asked myself tonight, “Would Messiaen approve?” I believe he would have approved of the idea of a film, but not of it’s execution. I think it’s important to keep music applicable to the everyday listener by adding modern day realities. Unfortunately, in this case, the film maker created something that was so disruptive that I almost think he did it for shock factor instead of its original purpose.

That being said, I am glad that UMS is bringing more controversial performances to Ann Arbor. I thought the piece was extraordinary and the musicians were phenomenal. I was especially impressed by the pianist and principal horn. Well done, Hamburg!

I can’t stop thinking about Einstein on the Beach! Ever since I saw Sunday’s performance I can’t get the music and the visual brilliance out of my head. I was nervous about sitting through a 4.5 hour opera that had little comprehensive dialogue and plot, but it was relatively easy. To my surprise, I found the opera beautiful and thought provoking. After awhile, I stopped trying to figure out “what the the opera meant” and just enjoyed the experience. I don’t think Phillip Glass and Robert Wilson wanted us to figure out “How Einstein fit in” or “What the hidden meaning is.” Instead, I think this opera was created for viewers to simply experience its unique combination of text, music and dance and take from it whatever they want.

I am still baffled by how much skill and practice it must have taken both the musicians and dancers to endure such a physically exhausting performance. What a talented cast! Bravo!

I feel so lucky that I got to witness such a rare and spectacular performance. Thanks to everyone who made this possible!