Celebrating San Francisco Opera’s world premiere of Doctor Atomic, this free evening symposium will bring together composer John Adams, director Peter Sellars, and San Francisco Opera General Director Pamela Rosenberg to discuss SCIENCE AND THE SOUL: J. Robert Oppenheimer and Doctor Atomic. Additional panelists include Dean of Physical Sciences Mark Richards and Professor of Physics Marvin Cohen. The program will explore J. Robert Oppenheimer’s role in the creation of the first atomic bomb as well as examine the historical, scientific, and musical background of Doctor Atomic. The evening will also feature an exclusive musical preview of the new opera.

This event is part of the ongoing series The College Presents, which highlights the intellectual vitality, diversity, and excellence of the College of Letters & Science by presenting to the public prominent scholars, scientists, thinkers, artists, and leaders in many fields on topics of broad appeal.

The event is free, and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Tickets can be picked up at the Zellerbach Hall ticket office, on campus, beginning Tuesday, September 20 through Sunday, September 25. Ticket office hours are Tuesday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door at 7:00 p.m. the evening of the event. Public transportation is encouraged. For more information, call 510.643.1964. To learn more about Doctor Atomic, visit doctor-atomic.com or sfopera.com.

During September and October 2005, The Consortium for the Arts at UC Berkeley is coordinating a series of campus events that examine the atomic age through the lens of the arts. Visit the Consortium's event calendar.

SCIENCE AND THE SOUL: J. Robert Oppenheimer and Doctor Atomic is co-sponsored by the College of Letters & Science and Cal Performances at UC Berkeley.