"Recognized as one of the greatest artistic works of the twentieth century, Einstein on the Beach has since propelled its authors Robert Wilson and Philip Glass to the front of the international art scene upon its creation in 1976. This piece still appears as one of their greatest masterpieces. 

Einstein on the Beach functions as the exception to all conventional rules of opera. Philip Glass replaces the traditional orchestration with a composition of synthesizers, wood and voice performed by the Philip Glass Ensemble. Adopting a non-narrative form, the work uses powerful recurrent images to form the main-frame series, juxtaposed with abstract dance sequences created by American choreographer Lucinda Childs. In its structure, the opera consists of four interconnected segments, divided into a series of short scenes or acts, called "knee plays," as coined by director and stage designer Robert Wilson.  Extending over four-and-a-half hours, this production has no intermission in the traditional sense.  Instead, the public is invited to enter and leave the room quietly, as they see fit, during the performance.  Revolutionary at its inception, Einstein on the Beach has emerged as one of the most remarkable productions of our time."

Staging, set design and lighting by Robert Wilson

Music and lyrics by Philip Glass

Choreography by Lucinda Childs

Spoken texts written by Lucinda Childs, Samuel M. Johnson, Christopher Knowles

Conducted by Michael Riesman

Associate direction by Ann-Christin Rommen

Associate stage design by Charles Otte

Lighting design by Urs Schoenbaum

Sound design by Kurt Munkasci

Costume design by Carlos Soto

Presented by the Théâtre du Châtelet in partnership with the Festival d'Automne in Paris and the Théâtre de la Ville and Produced by Pomegranate Arts, Inc.  Parisian representations of Einstein on the Beach was made ossible through the support of Pierre Bergé and agnès b. and a partnership with France Inter.

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