Thoughts Before Drowning (2020) by Benjamin Beckman

Opera Film Original | 4 min | 2020

Composer: Benjamin Beckman

Text: Baylina Pu

Performed by: Jennifer Lindsay (Soprano), Stephen Karr (Piano)

Embark on an emotional odyssey through the poignant depths of human existence with Thoughts Before Drowning, a short opera film by the visionary composer Benjamin Beckman. Delve into the heart-wrenching narrative of humanity's neglect of our planet and its irreversible consequences. As soprano Jennifer Lindsay's haunting voice intertwines with Stephen Karr's evocative piano, you will be transported to a world where words and melodies echo with profound meaning.

Thoughts Before Drowning is a solemn elegy that confronts the painful reality of climate change and global warming—a reflection on humanity's collective inaction. Through the voices of 'I' and 'you,' symbolizing our species as a whole, this opera weaves a tale of creation and destruction. As they once "gave names to all the incarnations of the sky," we now face a world on the brink of catastrophe.

In a conversation about memory and decay, the narrative delves into the inevitability of our choices coming back to haunt us. The protagonist, lost in contemplation, grapples with the question of whether their voice is addressed to anyone specific. It echoes the vastness of the sky, writing messages for all to see.

Thoughts Before Drowning is a profound exploration of our relationship with the planet and each other, a musical reflection on denial, regret, and the fragility of our existence. Composer Benjamin Beckman invites you to immerse yourself in this hauntingly beautiful opera, where every note resonates with the urgency of our time.

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