John Adams (1947)

I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky (1995)

"Songplay", in two acts


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1995 - 1995
    • Duration: 1 h 20 mn
    • Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
    • Libretto (details, author):

      June Jordan

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 3 solo mezzo-sopranos, 1 solo tenor, 2 solo baritones
  • 2 clarinets (also 1 bass clarinet, 1 alto saxophone), 3 pianos (also 1 electronic/MIDI keyboard/synthesizer), 1 guitar (also 1 electric guitar), 1 electric bass guitar (also 1 double bass), 1 percussionist [MIDI]

Premiere information

  • Date: 13 March 1995
    Location:

    États-Unis, Berkeley, University of California, Zellerbach Playhouse


    Performers:

    l'ensemble Paul Dresher, direction : Grant Gershon, mise en scène : Peter Sellars, son : Mark Grey.