alexander 
gedeon



i am a stage director for opera and music-theater based in LA. i came to the idea of directing opera after studying experimental theater in college and playing in nightclubs as a musician for more than a decade.gradually i recognized that opera was the synthesis of everything i loved: composing stage pictures, complex music, projects epic in scope and scale. a bizarre dream of performing ionesco in a jewel-box theater inadvertently led to my opera directorial debut four years ago. since then, i’ve had amazing opportunites working at long beach opera, LA opera and LA phil, including ongoing associate directing projects with macarthur fellow yuval sharon. 

in november i debuted concerto for having fun with elvis onstage at REDCAT in los angeles.

in september, premiered sanctuaries, a site-specific chamber opera about gentrification and the erasure of the Black community in portland, oregon. sanctuaries was a 2021 Oregon ArtsWatch pick of the year.

last year i officially joined the staff of long beach opera as minister of culture, a newly-created role in which i will develop projects for the 2022 season and beyond, as well as produce and host a video podcast series called towards a new opera.



“la tragédie de carmen”





“provocative, visually stunning ... artistically fascinating and thought provoking.”

“a perfect, ‘experimental’ approach to opera, for open-minded aficionados, and those new to the artform.”




the san diego union-tribune created a short documentary about the unique rehearsal process of this project. you can watch it and read more about the show here.



popular music


before committing to opera, i worked as the songwriter, choreographer, guitarist and lead singer of brooklyn-based punk-funk band trick and the heartstrings, and LA disco ensemble yellow alex. i collaborated with grammy winning producer paul epworth (adele, florence + the machine) and had song placements in indie films, ABC TV and the iTunes worldwide playlist. my last record, house of discipline, received over a year of airplay on LA’s KCRW.


prisoner of fashion    /    house of discipline



body and voice

as an actor and poetry reciter, i  performed in work produced by eve ensler, and alongside multi-grammy winner billy childs and the lyris quartet. this year i will pantomime in [as well as associate-direct] “comet/poppea”, a co-production of long beach opera, philharmonia baroque orchestra & AMOC.



what’s next?


there are new things to say
& we will find new ways to say it.

this is arguably the best time in american history
for opera to redefine itself.

let’s do.

send me an email here.
 




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collaborators & friends