Basil Twist
A native of San Francisco, Basil Twist is a third-generation puppeteer. He is the sole American to graduate from the École Supérieure Nationale des Arts de la Marionnette in Charleville-Mézières. Twist’s showmanship was spotlighted in New York by The Jim Henson International Festival of Puppetry with his award winning The Araneidae Show. This recognition coupled with the ground-breaking and multiple award-winning »under-water marvel« Symphonie Fantastique he was revealed as a singular artist of unlimited imagination.
Highlights of his subsequent work include Petrushka (commissioned by Lincoln Center) and Dogugaeshi (The Japan Society), Behind the Lid (Silver Whale Gallery) with the late Lee Nagrin and Arias with a Twist, co-created with nightlife icon Joey Arias. Symphonie Fantastique and these productions have toured all over the world.
Deeply musical in nature, Basil Twist thrives in the world of Opera. He created Titon et l’Aurore with Les Arts Florissants at the Opéra Comique in Paris and collaborated with Phelim McDermott on Aida at the English National Opera, Grand Théâtre de Genève and Houston Grand Opera. In 2019 he worked together with Dick Bird on Adrian Nobles production of Otello premiering at the Vienna State Opera.
In dance Basil Twist created the sets and puppetry for the world premiere of Edwaard Liangʼs Dorothy and the Prince of Oz for the Tulsa Ballet in 2017. His collaboration with Christopher Wheeldon includes Cinderella for the Dutch National Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, The Winterʼs Tale for the Royal Ballet and Nutcracker for the Joffrey Ballet. He premiered Darkness and Light with Pilobolus and created the title role in Wonderboy with the Joe Goode Performance Group.
Broadway credits include puppetry design for Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Oh, Hello!, The Addams Family and puppetry direction for the beloved Pee-Wee Herman Show.
Basil Twist is teaching at leading Universities and guides the internationally recognized Dream Music Puppetry Program at HERE in New York City. He received several awards such as an Obie, Drama Desk Awards, UNIMA Awards, Bessie Awards, a Henry Hewes Design Award, Guggenheim and USA Fellowship Award, Doris Duke Performing Artist Award and numerous grants from the Jim Henson Foundation for his productions.
Performances with Basil Twist
with Arsen Soghomonyan, Ludovic Tézier, Malin Byström, Conductor: Bertrand de Billy
Otello
Cast on Thursday 4. September 2025
Abo 18
Ticket information
Saison 2024/2025
Einen Wochentag und Lieblingsplätze wählen und fünf Vorstellungen in einer Saison genießen.
In diesem Abo sind folgende Vorstellungen enthalten:
17. Oktober 2024: MACBETH
14. November 2024: MANON
12. Dezember 2024: PALESTRINA
27. März 2025: IOLANTA
26. Juni 2025: BALLETT: DORNRÖSCHEN
with Arsen Soghomonyan, Ludovic Tézier, Malin Byström, Conductor: Bertrand de Billy
Otello
Cast on Monday 8. September 2025
Abo 13
Ticket information
Saison 2024/2025
Einen Wochentag und Lieblingsplätze wählen und fünf Vorstellungen in einer Saison genießen.
In diesem Abo sind folgende Vorstellungen enthalten:
09. September 2024: LA TRAVIATA
04. November 2024: MADAMA BUTTERFLY
13. Jänner 2025: TURANDOT
24. Februar 2025: BALLETT: DIE KAMELIENDAME
17. März 2025: L’ELISIR D’AMORE
with Arsen Soghomonyan, Ludovic Tézier, Malin Byström, Conductor: Bertrand de Billy
Otello
Cast on Thursday 11. September 2025
Abo 17
Ticket information
Saison 2024/2025
Einen Wochentag und Lieblingsplätze wählen und fünf Vorstellungen in einer Saison genießen.
In diesem Abo sind folgende Vorstellungen enthalten:
19. September 2024: BALLETT: SCHWANENSEE
05. Dezember 2024: PALESTRINA
30. Jänner 2025: DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE
06. März 2025: NORMA
03. April 2025: COSÌ FAN TUTTE