Gilgamesh
An Immersive & Interactive Opera Experience
A Revolutionary Immersive Opera
Step into the world’s oldest story—humanity’s first great masterpiece—and become part of it.
This breathtaking, site-specific production transforms the ancient Mesopotamian epic into a living, multi-sensory adventure. You are no longer just an audience member—you are a citizen of Uruk, walking through history as it unfolds around you.
Visionary composer Honiball Joseph leads an international ensemble of world-class artists, dancers, Choir, musicians, and innovators to create an unforgettable fusion of ancient myth and cutting-edge opera.
Passion. Precision. Immersion.
Produced by Gilgamesh Art & Culture Foundation
Set under the stars at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, this multi-sensory adventure redefines opera—intimate, powerful, and unforgettable.
Join us. Live the epic.
Step through the gates of Uruk. The epic awaits you.
Creative Team
From Irvine, USA
Producer, Director & Composer
From Los Angeles, USA
Choreographer
From Los Angeles, USA
Assistant Director
Music team
From Tehran, Iran
Conductor
From Tehran, Iran
Assistant Composer
From Tehran, Iran
Editorial Assistant (Music)
Design & Technical Production
From Los Angeles, USA
Costume Designer
From Los Angeles, USA
Scenic Designer
From Los Angeles, USA
Sound Designer & Technical Lead
Marketing, Outreach & Creative Services
From Chicago, USA
Outreach & Sponsorship Coordinator
From Tehran, Iran
Marketing Director
From Tehran, Iran
Poster & Visual Designer
Academic & Research Consultants
From Dublin, Ireland
Lead Assyriologist
From Cambridge, England
Musicologist
From Los Angeles, USA
Harp Specialist
Ready for the Show
To truly appreciate the power of opera, we listen not for the literal translation of the words, but for the profound emotion carried by the music and the human voice. Because our performance is presented in an ancient original language, it is a cherished tradition for opera-goers to study the story in advance, allowing the art to be felt without the distraction of searching for meaning. Please watch this 4-minute animation exploring the legendary “Epic of Gilgamesh” to familiarize yourself with the story before joining the event.
About the Gilgamesh Opera
Gilgamesh Opera is a large-scale immersive opera inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh and the cultural roots of Ancient Mesopotamia. Conceived in 2008 and developed over 17 years by Honiball Joseph, this visionary work now comes to Los Angeles—inviting audiences into a living world of music, ritual, movement, and storytelling.
A 17-Year Journey
Gilgamesh Opera began in 2008 as an artistic dream: to create an opera that could carry the spirit of the Epic of Gilgamesh into the present—through sound, language, movement, and community. Over 17 years of composing, revising, and reimagining, the work has grown into an immersive, multi-layered experience shaped by research, memory, and cultural preservation.
The Experience
This is not a traditional “sit-and-watch” opera. Gilgamesh Opera is designed as an immersive theatrical journey where the audience enters a world that feels ancient and alive.
- A three-hour immersive opera experience
- An interactive opening marketplace that welcomes the audience into the world of the story
- An intermission that functions as an integral part of the experience
Cultural Roots & Artistic Purpose
At its heart, Gilgamesh Opera honors Assyrian heritage and the broader Mesopotamian cultural landscape. The production is both a work of contemporary art and an act of cultural preservation—created to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and celebrate the endurance of human stories across time.
The Los Angeles Production
The work is being realized in Los Angeles by a dedicated creative team, bringing together music, staging, design, and performance in a bold model that prioritizes artistry and collaboration.
- Venue: LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden (Arcadia, California)
- Creative Team: A collaborative ensemble shaping choreography, production, and design.
Why It Matters Now
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of humanity’s oldest surviving stories, yet its themes remain urgent: friendship, power, grief, transformation, and the search for meaning. Gilgamesh Opera invites audiences to encounter these themes not as distant history, but as a living experience through contemporary composition and a community gathered in the present.
About the Presenter
Gilgamesh Opera is presented by Gilgamesh Arts & Culture Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering and representing heritage through arts, education, and cultural preservation.
We look forward to receiving your work and celebrating the power of electronic music in this exciting festival!