Event

An American Soldier's Tale

There are some things that aren't taught in history class. The execution of a US Citizen for desertion is one of them..

In celebration of iconic American author Kurt Vonnegut's 90th birthday, Orchestra Miami will present the Florida premiere of "An American Soldier's Tale", with music by Igor Stravinsky and new libretto by Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut's gripping libretto replaces the traditional story by
C. F. Ramuz with the true story of private Eddie D. Slovick, who in 1945 became the only U.S. soldier to be executed for desertion since the Civil War.

Commissioned in 1993 by New York Philomusica, this edgy and provocative piece was not heard again until 2006, after a legal fight with the Stravinsky estate. Rarely performed since the 2006 New York revival, Orchestra Miami has obtained exclusive rights from the Vonnegut Estate to perform this important work on the occasion of what would have been Mr. Vonnegut's 90th birthday.

Seven musicians from Orchestra Miami perform the original Stravinsky score, conducted by Elaine Rinaldi. Directed by renowned Miamian Michael Yawney, the play will feature Ivan Lopez, Kristoff Skalet, Francesca Toledo and Matthew Glass.