Darwin's Meditation for The People of Lincoln
Part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival
Oct 29, 31 & Nov 1 at 7:30pm
Conceived and composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR)
Directed by D.J. Mendel and DBR
"DBR combines a rock-star persona with a musical approach that does for amplified violin what Jimi Hendrix did for electric guitar."—The Australian
Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln—two extraordinary men—were born within hours of one another on the same auspicious day of February 12, 1809. If one traced the origin of the human species, the other set its destination in motion. In Darwin's Meditation for The People of Lincoln, composer/musician Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) brings them toe-to-toe for a lush, orchestral event of historic proportions.
A grandly conceived work that employs the expansiveness of SymphoNYC, an eighteen-piece chamber orchestra conducted by Paul Haas, together with four arresting soloists—DBR (violin), Wynne Bennett (prepared piano), Daniel Beaty (spoken word), and Emeline Michel (voice)—Darwin's Meditation for The People of Lincoln sculpts the sound of liberation, survival, and legacy in the image of two of its most tireless proponents. Using texts drawn from both Darwin and Lincoln, plus those of Obie Award-winning playwright Daniel Beaty, DBR creates a brilliantly imagined conversation between two historical giants—and a scintillating, spiritual, sonic vision of what it means to be free.
BAM Harvey Theater
Running time: 90min, no intermission
Tickets: $20, 35
Written by Daniel Beaty
Featuring the SymphoNYC
Conducted by Paul Haas
DBR—Violin
Wynne Bennett—Prepared piano
Daniel Beaty—Spoken word
Emeline Michel—Voice
Co-commissioned by BAM for the 2008 Next Wave Festival. This is BAM's second commission of DBR's work as part of a three-year relationship.
BAM Interview with DBR
DBR answers questions from Robert Wood. More
Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) Site
News, press, and videos galore at the web home of the adventurous violinist. More
Paul Haas & SymphoNYC Site
Paul and his crack ensemble provide the orchestral backdrop for Darwin's Meditation for The People of Lincoln. More
Daniel Beaty Site
The Obie Award-winning playwright provided text for and performs in Darwin's Meditation for The People of Lincoln. More
Wynne Bennett on MySpace
Sound clips and more from DBR's long-time pianist. More
Emeline Michel Site
Learn more about the Haitian singer. More
Article from Newsweek
"Who Was More Important: Lincoln Or Darwin?" Ridiculous question? Newsweek writer Malcolm Jones doesn't think so. More
The Full Text of Darwin's On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection
Enjoy some light reading to kill time before the show. More