The Conference of the Birds — Dallas and Los Angeles

In May 2026, MTO Zendeh Delan® continued the international journey of The Conference of the Birds with two special presentations in the United States: at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas on 24 May, followed by The Ebell of Los Angeles on 28 May.

Inspired by the celebrated work of the 12th-century Persian Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar, The Conference of the Birds follows a gathering of birds who set out in search of the Simurgh. Guided by the hoopoe, their path carries them through seven valleys of spiritual transformation—yearning, love, knowledge, detachment, unity, wonderment and annihilation—before ultimately confronting the truth of what they have been seeking.

For the Dallas and Los Angeles presentations, this timeless allegory was brought to life through an immersive combination of live music, Samā and poetic narration. Musicians, vocalists and Samā practitioners came together on stage to create a continuous journey in which sound, movement, poetry and visual expression became part of a single experience.

Dallas — Winspear Opera House

The US journey began in Dallas at the magnificent Winspear Opera House.

Against a theatrical landscape of light, music and nature-inspired scenery, the story unfolded gradually before the audience. From moments of stillness and contemplation to the sweeping movement of Samā, each stage of the journey carried its own atmosphere and expression.

The musicians and vocalists formed the musical heart of the presentation, while poetry and projected words provided another dimension through which audiences could follow Attar’s message. Samā gave physical expression to that journey—the movement of the practitioners reflecting ideas of surrender, transformation and the search for unity.

Los Angeles — The Ebell of Los Angeles

Only four days later, The Conference of the Birds arrived in Los Angeles for the second US presentation, held at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

Although the setting had changed, the essence of the journey remained the same.

Music filled the theatre as the story moved through the valleys, with voices, instruments, poetry and Samā continuously interacting. The flowing white garments of the Samā practitioners, illuminated against the darkened stage, created striking moments of movement and stillness, while the ensemble remained at the heart of the unfolding narrative.

As the journey progressed towards unity and annihilation, the distinction between individual elements of the presentation gradually gave way to a greater sense of wholeness—echoing one of the central ideas within Attar’s work: that what is sought outwardly may ultimately be discovered within.

A Journey Beyond the Stage

At the heart of The Conference of the Birds is a question that reaches beyond a particular time, culture or place: What are we truly searching for?

Attar’s birds travel great distances in search of their king, yet their journey ultimately becomes one of self-discovery. Their trials reveal the attachments, fears and illusions that stand between the seeker and truth.

Through this presentation, MTO Zendeh Delan® sought not simply to retell this story, but to create a space in which its message could be experienced—through music, poetry, movement and contemplation.

The response from audiences in Dallas and Los Angeles made both evenings particularly memorable. Seeing the theatres filled and sharing this journey with audiences across the United States was a meaningful milestone for everyone involved in bringing the production to the stage.