Promise and Peril at Old First Presbyterian Church

The San Francisco Bay Area's 21V choral ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Martín Benvenuto, presents Promise & Peril on Friday, April 4th at 8:00 p.m. at Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, and on Saturday, April 5th at 4:00 pm at the Berkeley Hillside Club. 

Promise and Peril will delve into the dual nature of technological advancement highlighting stories of innovation and disparity, and explore the often-overlooked promises of our three Americas. Through a thought-provoking and powerful combination of music, texts, and a panel discussion, 21V will shed light on how progress can bridge divides yet deepen inequities. The concert will include three world premieres:

• "I Speak of Blood" by Eric Tuan (commissioned by 21V): A poignant reflection on Silicon Valley's labor disparities, setting the powerful poetry of Foxconn worker Xu Lizhi, who died by suicide in 2014. 

• "The Future of Intelligence" by Karen Siegel: an exploration of AI's ethical implications, with text co-created with ChatGPT.

• "Amor, Cuidado, Futuro" by Juan Stafforini: an evocative piece addressing global childhood inequalities in Native-American languages.

21V’s unique treble sound of soprano and alto voices of all genders will weave a tapestry of 21st-century music featuring works by LA-based Zanaida Robles, Argentinian Juan Stafforini, Mexican-born Diana Syrse, and Venezuelans Víctor Daniel Lozada and Carlos Cordero. Come witness the harmonies and dissonances of our times, as we navigate the promise and peril of our interconnected future.