The participants offered readings from Eric Bentley’s classic works and shared their thoughts about Bentley’s influence on them personally and on American theater, music, and culture. Bentley’s work with Brecht, his classic books on the theater, and his own great artistry were all highlighted.
The evening was punctuated by theater music of Hanns Eisler and Darius Milhaud, whose songs for Mother Courage were performed by Soprano Karyn Levitt in the composer’s original, unpublished version for chamber orchestra, conducted by the late multi-Emmy Award winner Glen Roven. Selections from Eric Bentley’s Brecht-Eisler Song Book were also performed by Ms. Levitt and the Hanns Eisler Trio led by pianist Eric Ostling. The film captures all the highlights from this one-of-a-kind live event honoring Eric Bentley and his legacy.
Stay after the film for a Q&A with film producer Karyn Levitt.
