Southern Crossings: Composition and Collaboration: A conversation with composer Zaid Jabri, and librettists, Yvette Christiansë and Rosalind Morris

A meeting of minds? A missed encounter? In 1836, as the abolition of slavery came into effect across the British Empire, the famed astronomer John Herschel and his wife Margaret returned to England from Cape Town where, two years earlier, they had entertained Charles Darwin. Southern Crossings restages the failed dinner in the dream-image of what might have been. The chamber opera, with music by Zaid Jabri and a libretto by Yvette Christiansë and Rosalind Morris, comprises a layered set of conversations about time—of evolution, eternity and freedom; and revolution—of ideas and nations—between Darwin and the Herschels, and their indentured servants, January and Leah. The composer and librettists will share their experience and thoughts about the music and conceptual work of their collaboration.

To RSVP, please click here. This event is part of a series of talks organized by the Institute for Ideas and Imagination at Reid Hall in Paris and the Maison Française. It is also co-sponsored by the Heyman Center for the Humanities and Society of Fellows.