Preview: Wounded Splendor @ Univ. of MD

In producing the piece, Gonzalez has worked with several collaborators, including two video designers, a stage manager, a production assistant, a director, and pianist/composer Daniel Kelly, who has worked with Gonzalez regularly over the past ten years.

Gonzalez, who is also a musician, first wrote the text and then worked with Kelly to develop the score.

Describing the creative process, Kelly said, "There was a lot of give and take, and a lot of play. I feel one of my strong abilities is to react to the content of what he’s saying."

Kelly has a strong background in both classical music and jazz, and often performs solo recitals that are entirely improvised. Saturday's performance will reflect this aesthetic, and will include set pieces, but also plenty of room for ebb and flow. But even when playing in the moment, the text will be the main source of inspiration.

"As a composer, I’m also thinking of an overall structure. I want to have a compositional unity with the whole evening's performance," said Kelly.

In addition to the spoken word and musical elements, Wounded Splendor will also include a visual component that will present a multi-faceted look at Mother Nature. Both artists hope that the production will inspire audience members to assess the relationship between the individual and the natural world.

As Gonzalez declared, "I want [Wounded Splendor] to be a powerful and beautiful call to arms."

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center will offer 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. showings of Wounded Splendor on Saturday, April 4, in the Robert and Arlene Kogod Theatre. Tickets are $25/$7 with student I.D.