Cécile McLorin Salvant's 'Ogresse'

"Cécile McLorin Salvant has an effective elevator pitch for Ogresse, her wickedly delicious song cycle about a human-eating monster in the woods. The story, she says, goes like this: “She falls in love! She eats the guy! She dies!”"—Richard Scheinin, SFJAZZ

In response to domestic coronavirus developments, Stanford University is strongly discouraging all large-scale university gatherings of 150 people or more, effective March 4 through April 15. Stanford Live, in compliance with the university’s decision, is moving to cancel large-scale performances within this time frame. This performance has been canceled—read more.

Three-time Grammy winner and beloved jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant makes her return to Bing Concert Hall with Ogresse, an original work arranged and conducted by jazz luminary Darcy James Argue. Ogresse couples Salvant’s eclectic choices—from hip-hop to Cuban to baroque idioms—with her exquisite vocal gifts for a one-of-a-kind audience experience. A 13-piece chamber orchestra conducted by Argue accompanies Salvant on this stirring, can't-miss journey of myth and song. The Wall Street Journal calls Ogresse “a stunningly original epic that draws on myriad musical genres.” JazzTimes calls it “a daring and genre-defying departure” for Salvant—a “grand synthesis” of her interests in musical theater.

Touching on social themes such as the status of women and race relations today, the work is part of Renée Fleming’s VOICES series, co-commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Kennedy Center.