Renowned New York folk singer Suzanne Vega was invited in 2018 by Ensemble Ictus to provide all the recitatives on their version of Philip Glass'Einstein on the Beach. We take a look back with her at this happy artistic encounter.

How did you meet the Ictus Ensemble ? How was the Einstein on the Beach project born?

They contacted me, knowing that I had worked with Philip Glass on many occasions. I had sent him some lyrics. In return, he gave me an arrangement for strings. Later, he wrote a song for me to perform at the end of a film he had worked on. We have played together many times over the past 35 years. 

Are you familiar with contemporary music in general? Is it a world that attracts you? Do you listen to it? If so, can you give us some examples?

As a dancer in the 70s, I was familiar with classical music. Steve Reich was very popular then. My favourite choreographers used Poulenc and Bela Bartok. 

I saw you in concert in Strasbourg last September. Your interpretation ofEinstein on theBeach touched me deeply. Your voice seemed naturally fluid and perfectly at home in this work. So you know the work of Philip Glass... What do you think of minimalist music in general?

I like it very much. I started working with Philip Glass in the 80s, at the beginning of my career with Songs From Liquid Days. I really like his music. My favorite of his works is Mishima. I also like a lot the music of Steve Reich and Nico Muhly. 

You are clearly recognized in the world of folk and pop music, in which you have recorded essential albums. Do you think that today, bridges like the ones you have created with Ensemble Ictus could become more widespread, or do they remain marginal?

I think it's still exceptional. For example, the roles of the different narrators would be very difficult for many pop artists. In fact, the scenes performed are not narrative at all! They are more circular and repetitive, a bit like mantras or chants, and as a Buddhist I am very comfortable with this approach. 

What did you listen to and what did you like specifically during these last months, during this period of confinement: contemporary music and/or other styles?

Lately I've been listening to the radio and classical music or jazz. But my best friend works at the Metropolitan Opera where he does the subtitles. So I got to see : Marni by Nico Muhly, which I loved!

Alban Berg'sWozzeck , a production that is both beautiful and disturbing...

Ahknaten by Philip Glass, last fall.

When David Heard by Eric Whitacre. 

The last thing I heard on the radio that caught my attention was Hydrogen Jukebox with Allen Ginsberg, Part One Song #4 To P.O. by Philip Glass.

Interview by Guillaume Kosmicki