THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

Concert Reading of a new opera in process
ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY!!

Wednesday, December 9 at 8:00 pm

At Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Peter Norton Symphony Space 95th & Broadway All tickets $22.00 Call Box Office: (212) 864-5400 Window sales and Box Office - Tues – Sun (12 Noon to 6 pm) And 24-hour/day tickets sales www.symphonyspace.org

 Inspired by physics’ superstring theory which postulates the simultaneous existence of at least 10 dimensions, and that everything in the universe – from our bodies to the farthest star – is made up of vibrating strings, the story revolves around the lives of 8-year-old Cassy, her mother Rachel, a documentary filmmaker, and her father Tomás, a quantum physicist from Brazil who is studying the cosmology of the Q`ero Indians.  Dramatic events catapult a scientific and metaphysical search into other dimensions and alternate universes.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING Music by John David Earnest                                      Libretto by Nancy Rhodes COMPANY Stage Director Nancy Rhodes                                      Music Director/Conductor Mara Waldman Pianists:  Tony Bellomy, Catherine Miller Costume Consultant:  Marianne Powell-Parker Stage Manager:  Cassandra Powell Joel O. Cardona, Cory Clines, Thomas Dolan, David Salsbery Fry, Samantha Grenell-Zaidman, Heather Michele Meyer, Brittany Palmer, Gloria Park, Lacretta Ross, Hannah Fuerst, Christopher Preston Thompson, Jorell Williams   Encompass New Opera Theatre’s production of THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING is made possible with public funds from The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Access to Artistic Excellence in 2006 & in 2009; & The New York State Council on the Arts (a state agency). THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING received funding from OPERA America’s Opera Fund, launched by the NEA, is funded by the Helen F. Whitaker Fund, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Canada Council for the Arts, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The James S. and John L. Knight Foundation, and The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation. Encompass is grateful for commissioning funds from the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust’s Program for Contemporary Music Projects.  Encompass programs are supported by the Cornelius N. Bliss Memorial Fund; The Dramatists Guild Fund; The Edith Meiser Foundation: the Virgil Thomson Foundation; The Word Works; The New York Times Co. Fdn. and our Generous Patrons.

 

Notes from The Theory of Everything by Nancy Rhodes

Physics and science have been interests of mine since childhood, inspired by long walks through nature with my grandfather, a physics teacher. He taught me how to observe and analyze, to appreciate the invisible forces, and unleashed in me an insatiable curiosity to explore the grand design of our universe.

In 1987, I read an article in The New York Times about an astounding new physics theory postulating the simultaneous existence of at least ten dimensions, known as superstring theory. Pushing the envelope of the mind to embrace multiple dimensions, sister universes, and the possibility that everything from our bodies to the farthest star, is made up of vibrating strings, fascinated me.

During this time I was working in different countries; while riding on trains, I read metaphysical literature, Eastern philosophy, science, and poetry. Turkey was one of the places that resonated deeply within me, the ancient city of Ankara with its Hittite Museum, and Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia. I found layers of history everywhere, sensed ancient voices, as I walked through the ruins of Ephesus.

Upon returning home, it came to me in the middle of the night: Act I, Scene 1, a Planetarium. Thus began The Theory of Everything. The story revolves around the lives of 8-year-old Cassy, her mother Rachel, a documentary filmmaker, and her father Tomás, a quantum physicist from Brazil. A series of dramatic events catapault a scientific and metaphysical search into other dimensions and alternate universes.

Further research led me to the writings of physicist David Bohm and his ideas of a holographic universe, to Native American spiritual conferences, healing seminars, and the laboratories of physicists at Columbia, CUNY, and Princeton.

The Theory of Everything’s composer John David Earnest has written extensively for orchestra, chamber ensembles, chorus, solo voice and opera. He writes, “in my conversations with Nancy over the past 2 years, I was immediately drawn to her concept of exploring the connection between spirituality and the physical world. In order to find a musical voice for these themes and Nancy’s libretto, I have chosen several eclectic sources ranging from tonally based melodic ideas to non-traditional musical structure and vocabulary.”

Look for new scenes in 2009!

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