“…My home has no place, no sign, no trace, I am neither in body nor soul, nor anywhere other than my love’s life and soul. If ever I spent a moment without you, I’d repent it the rest of my life.” – Rumi

Commissioned by and written specifically for Verdigris, this WORLD PREMIERE immerses its audience into a love story. The story of Rumi and Shams is one of pure transformation. Love means losing yourself into a space where real change may emerge. Sahba’s work inhabits this ancient poetry and music and language and takes the contemporary listener on this same journey of discovery. Verdigris Ensemble presents its Dallas World Premiere of “SHAMS” -- this powerful performance art experience incorporates 16 voices, a string quartet, pre-recorded sounds, visual projection, and staging. It boasts the most extensive collection worldwide of Rumi poetry set to music in its original Farsi. The work is a synergetic collaboration between internationally acclaimed Iranian composer Sabha Aminikia, the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the University of Texas at Dallas, Syrian visual artist Kevork Mourad, and Verdigris Ensemble.