Cécile McLorin Salvant

About this event

Cécile McLorin Salvant, who returns to the Alte Oper as this season's Jazz Artist in Residence, is known for a voice that moves between jazz tradition and classical precision. For this concert she presents the world premiere of a piece written in response to Henri Matisse's late cut-out series 'Jazz', held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, commissioned by the Alte Oper, translates the bold colours and fluid shapes of Matisse's pictures into a musical tableau for voice and her long‑standing trio – pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Kyle Poole. The result is a contemporary jazz narrative where improvisation meets the visual arts. Salvant's project is part of the 'Met Museum Experience' series, which links the New York institution's holdings with live performance. Earlier collaborations with the Met saw her create musical evenings inspired by exhibited artworks. The setting is the Grand Hall, whose classic interior provides an intimate frame for her multi-layered voice.