The relationship between and his mentor Shams Tabrizi lasted just 40 days. But the brief encounter shook his traditional religious upbringing and led to a body of work .
Sam Brukhman is one of the most recent to be touched by the story of the Persian mystic. Two years ago, the founder and artistic director of the Verdigris Ensemble conceived , an audiovisual production he says changed his life.
“It became clear that the music was only the baseline of the experience. Audiences found themselves moved, connected and seen.”

For a new version co-produced by the Crow Museum of Asian Art, Brukhman has broadened the 55-minute piece to feature in choreography by Joy Bollinger, the company’s artistic director.
Verdigris commissioned the music from Iranian American composer , who set Rumi’s poetry in the original Farsi for the 16 members of the choir. Shams also includes a string quartet, pre-recorded sounds, projections and visual art by another Iranian American, Dallas-based painter .
Details
May 23-25 at Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St. $15-$60. .
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