SoBe Arts Presents the World Premiere of Intelligent Systems the Surrender of Self in Mystical Contemplation
Summary
Through a wonderful integration of sonic and visual images, audience members will be taken through time and space on a quest to understand - and actually feel as though they are experiencing - creation, natural catastrophe, social evolution, and the modern threat of self-annihilation.Composer Carson Kievman was originally inspired to begin work on this project more than 30 years ago when Stephen Hawking published his groundbreaking research on the Big Bang theory and the transformative nature of the universe.Dr. Kauffman enjoyed a career as a freelance pianist, coach and choral and orchestral conductor in Germany, Italy and Spain before accepting positions within the German state-supported opera system, first in Hildesheim and later in Chemnitz.The musical score and storyboard/libretto were created periodically through the ensuing years and finally revised, updated and completed early this year.Intelligent Systems maps out the history of a parallel universe and one of its planets as a series of natural catastrophes occurring over millions of years, leading to the development of civilization and ultimately a man-made catastrophe (including climate change and sea-level rise; raging viral pandemic; out-of-control digital miscommunications; and global nuclear fallout) followed by a post-apocalyptic speculation about what a future species might look and act like.These are big ideas, and they translate well into a music-theater experience using animated projections, vocal, and instrumental ensembles.Dr. Kauffman enjoyed a career as a freelance pianist, coach and choral and orchestral conductor in Germany, Italy and Spain before accepting positions within the German state-supported opera system, first in Hildesheim and later in Chemnitz.