Let the Poets Speak: A Celebration of Philip Glass and Allen Ginsberg

Featuring Timo Andres, Taylor Mac, and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

On the occasion of composer Philip Glass’s 90th birthday, Let the Poets Speak celebrates Glass’s extraordinary relationships and collaborations with poets. Throughout his long career, Glass has drawn inspiration from poets’ words, lives, and the depths of their creative practice. Poetry has played a key role in the evolution of his music—from Rumi to Leonard Cohen—and, in particular, with one of Glass's closest friends and collaborators: American beat poet Allen Ginsberg, who posthumously celebrates his own centennial in 2026. For this program, Philip Glass composed original works for Allen Ginsberg’s poems including “Wichita Vortex Sutra” and “Magic Psalm”.

Featuring performances by longtime Glass interpreter pianist Timo Andres, theater artist Taylor Mac, and members of the San Francisco Girls Chorus, this evening celebrates not only these seminal American cultural icons, but the spirit of collaboration across generations.

Note: Philip Glass will not be performing.

Co-commissioned by Pomegranate Arts and UCSB Arts and Lectures.