The University of Texas at Dallas’ (UTD) classical season finale will combine the Musica Nova and Voices of Change ensembles in a multi-media performance on Sunday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre. An Evening of Words and Music will integrate music, the spoken word, visual images, and dance. The featured work will be the world première of The Dot and the Line by Robert Xavier Rodríguez, based on the classic book by Norton Juster, narrated by Fred Curchack. Also on the concert will be The Story of Ferdinand by Alan Ridout, Sports et divertissements by Erik Satie and Rodríguez' The Food of Love, based on food texts by Shakespeare. In addition to Fred Curchack, the evening's soloists will include violinist Maria Schleuning, pianist Jeff Lankov, narrator Pierrette LaCour, and conductor Lawrence Loh.

The Dot and the Line (2004), subtitled A Romance in Lower Mathematics, for actor, visual images, and chamber ensemble was commissioned by the Voices of Change ensemble with assistance from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kraft Foundation, The Eugene McDermott Foundation, Robert L. Hull & Myra Barker Hull, Don and Norma Stone, and the School of Arts and Humanities. The work is based on Norton Juster’s classic 1963 illustrated book of the same title. Rodríguez has previously written A Colorful Symphony (1987), for narrator and orchestra, based on a chapter from Juster’s best-known work, The Phantom Tollbooth (1961). The text of The Dot and the Line concerns “a sensible straight Line” who is “hopelessly in love” with a Dot. The Dot, meanwhile, “only has eyes for a wild and unkempt Squiggle.” The Line, however, learns to bend in new and dazzling ways and, in doing so, triumphs. Rodríguez’s musical version is the first multi-media treatment of The Dot and the Line since the Academy-Award-winning animated short of 1965.

UTD's Musica Nova ensemble, directed by Robert Xavier Rodríguez, performs music for small ensembles, plus multi-media and theater works of all periods. UTD students and faculty join professional musicians and members of the community. Musica Nova guest artists have included members of the Dallas Symphony and Dallas Opera Orchestra and singers from the New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera. Music for past Musica Nova concerts has ranged from Medieval and Renaissance dances and motets to standard repertoire to experimental mixed-media works written for and/or developed by the ensemble. Concerts have included an evening of jigs, an evening of tangos, French cabaret and mariachi songs, chamber opera, ballet and a fully staged commedia dell'arte pantomime.

The Voices of Change ensemble, directed by Shields-Collins Bray, is one of the pioneer professional chamber music ensembles in America dedicated to the performance of music of our time. Performers include members of the Dallas Symphony and other distinguished artists, including a regular series of guest composers. Now entering its 30th season, Voices of Change has made numerous recordings and has performed for enthusiastic audiences of all ages ranging from Dallas area schools to their subscription season at SMU to tours throughout the world. Voices of Change has consistently earned national and international recognition and awards both for the high caliber of its performances and for its adventuresome programming. In 1999 the ensemble’s recording, Voces Americanas, which included Rodríguez' Les Niais Amoureux, was nominated for the prestigious Grammy award.