Description

Rome Symphony Orchestra Premieres a Groundbreaking Journey into the Cosmos. The Rome Symphony Orchestra invites audiences to embark on an extraordinary voyage into the very heart of the universe with the world premiere of Black Hole Symphony. This one-of-a-kind concert fuses the timeless power of a live orchestra with the cutting-edge discoveries of astrophysics, offering a dazzling experience where science and art converge.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Rome Symphony joins forces with astrophysicists from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and the Black Hole Initiative, alongside the visionary animators of the Museum of Science, Boston. At the center of this project is composer David Ibbett, Composer-in-Residence for Harvard and the Smithsonian, who has transformed light itself into music—translating the data of black hole galaxies into soaring melodies, shimmering chords, and an electro-symphonic score of cosmic proportions.

Across the evening, the audience will be immersed in a journey through the mysterious landscapes of deep space swept along the jets of plasma that erupt from black holes, guided through swirling dust clouds and radiant gas, and ultimately drawn to the blazing accretion disk at the very edge of the event horizon. This is music that does more than entertain - it reveals a hidden universe beyond the reach of the human eye. 

Joining the orchestra is renowned astrophysicist Dr. Rebecca Phillipson, professor at Villanova University, who will serve as narrator and guide. Dr. Phillipson will illuminate the science behind the spectacle, while Maestro Jeffrey Dokken will lead a thought-provoking discussion with both the composer and the astrophysicist, bridging the realms of music, science, and imagination. We are also pleased to share that Rome's own Indra Thomas will be performing with us.

“This concert is as groundbreaking as it is spectacular,” says Maestro Dokken. “It’s not just a performance—it’s an exploration of who we are in the cosmos, told through the voices of both science and music.”  

Do not miss this unforgettable evening that promises to inspire wonder, ignite curiosity, and expand horizons.