Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold - an epic of gods and monsters - brought to the 21st century at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Das Rheingold
Opera

At the top of the charts for the most sampled jazz and soul musicians in history, vibraphonist Roy Ayers has inspired multiple generations of artists. Among his most ardent admirers is pianist Robert Glasper, who has turned the art of reinventing classic tunes into a trademark style through his landmark Black Radio albums. Leading the Robert Glasper Experiment, an ensemble renowned for building a bridge between jazz and hip-hop, Glasper routinely collaborates with genre-defining heavyweights like Yasiin Bey, Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Common, and Snoop Dogg. Captured live at the Jazz à la Villette festival, this electrifying concert film captures a monumental tribute concert celebrating the legacy of Roy Ayers. Produced by Revive Music Group, the performance features core Experiment members Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge, and Casey Benjamin. To honor Ayers' signature sound, the band brings in a guest vibraphonist alongside legendary hip-hop producer DJ Pete Rock. Serving as the mix's official guarantor of hip-hop authenticity, Pete Rock adds a modern sonic edge that elevates the original fusion of jazz and soul. By steering clear of predictable cover tropes and carbon-copy arrangements, the ensemble crafts a fresh, unpredictable sonic experience. What was originally slated as a standard festival set quickly transforms into a two-and-a-half-hour masterclass in groove, improvisation, and mutual artistic respect. The musicians completely captivate the Paris audience, delivering a high-energy performance that stands as an essential document of modern jazz-fusion history.