Two generations of jazz royalty collaborate on the new opera …(Iphigenia), a re-imagining of Euripides’ play Iphigenia in Aulis, with music composed by 11-time Grammy-winning composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and a libretto by four-time Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and vocalist esperanza spalding, who also stars in the lead role. The fully staged work is performed in its West Coast premiere by a 28-piece chamber ensemble with members of the Wayne Shorter Quartet at its center, plus a cast of nine vocalists and a chorus of 10 singers, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz and with set design by iconic architect Frank Gehry.

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Wayne Shorter
PHOTO 1
Caption: The West Coast premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S ...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: Wayne Shorter
(credit: Robert Ascroft)
Esperanza Spalding
PHOTO 2
Caption: The West Coast premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S ...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: esperanza spalding
(credit: Carmen Daneshmandi)
PHOTO 3
Caption: The West Coast premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S ...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: Wayne Shorter, composer
(credit: Jeff Tang)
PHOTO 4
Caption: The West Coast Premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: esperanza spalding and Wayne Shorter
(credit: Jeff Tang)
PHOTO 5
Caption: The West Coast Premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: Wayne Shorter and esperanza spalding
(credit: courtesy Real Magic)
PHOTO 6
Caption: The West Coast Premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: esperanza spalding and other Iphigenias
(credit: Jon Fine)
PHOTO 7
Caption: The West Coast Premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: esperanza spalding as Iphigenia
(credit: Jati Lindsay)
Iphigenia
PHOTO 8
Caption: The West Coast Premiere of WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S...(Iphigenia) takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Pictured: Iphigenias
(credit: Jati Lindsay)
PHOTO 9
Caption: Jeff "Tain" Watts, Brian Blade, Danilo Perez, and John Patitucci in rehearsal for WAYNE SHORTER & ESPERANZA SPALDING'S...(Iphigenia). The West Coast premiere takes place at Cal Performances on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
(credit: Jeff Tang)