Album Notes

Loosely adapted from an ancient Greek fable but incorporating elements of Italian tarocchi (known in more modern terms as tarot) and the literary influences of Goethe and Dante, LUX ESALARE is at its core a simple tale of one man’s search for
possibility. Within his unrelenting aspirations to become more than what he is, he must decide between a simple life of
contentment and the unrealized aspirations of unbridled achievement. With each step of his journey and with every choice he makes comes both reward and consequence.

According to artistic director and Quixotic co-founder Anthony Magliano, LUX ESALARE represents “an incredible step forward for the ensemble.”

“From the moment we started working on this production, we knew we wanted to push ourselves even further than ever
before,” Magliano says. “In many ways, the thematic material of this work is a reflection of the personal drive that every
member of Quixotic has inside him or herself. At one time or another, we’ve all struggled to maintain balance while at the
same time trying to feed that artistic hunger that each of us has within. As a result, this production has been a very personal labor of love for all of us.”

As a contemporary arts collective, the performing and creative collaborators behind Quixotic draw upon every muse they can find while at the same time actively searching out new and exciting influences. For Magliano’s fellow artistic director Mica Thomas, now entering his third year with the group, the disparate approaches among the variety of artists proves to be more of an inspiration rather than a hurdle.

“Contemporary ballet and modern dancers share the stage with aerialists overhead,” says Thomas. “Jazz and classical and pop musicians play shoulder to shoulder. Fashion designers actively collaborate with make up artists. Traditional theater technicians engage with digital technologists. And then with LUX ESALARE we have the honor of bringing in a world-class talent like Sonya Tayeh [So You Think You Can Dance choreographer and EDGE Performing Arts Center instructor] as a choreographer. It’s hard to think how much more we can throw into the mix. In the end, it is incredible how it all comes together seamlessly.”

With a cast, crew and host of musicians and designers that reads like a veritable who’s who of top talent from both in- and
outside of the area, LUX ESALARE promises to be, as reviews for previous productions have described, “a spectacle for the senses.”

“The audience is a key component,” says percussionist and Quixotic live music director Brandon Draper. “When everything is right, the energy we bring to the stage is being reflected right back to us by the audience. That’s when we know that we’re all on this journey together.”