A discussion Saturday, March 28, will provide context for a screening of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 silent film masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc at the Capitol Theatre.

UWindsor professors Vincent Georgie and Erica Stevens Abbitt will join Windsor Symphony Orchestra conductor Robert Franz for the free public 6 p.m. discussion, which precedes an 8 p.m. screening accompanied by a performance of the cantata Voices of Light.

• Franz will speak briefly about composer Richard Einhorn’s extraordinary project to create a contemporary soundscape to match Dreyer’s film;
• Dr. Georgie, director of the Windsor International Film Festival, will discuss the history of this controversial film and the challenge of creating music to match its vision; and
• Dr. Stevens Abbitt, a professor of drama, will talk about the contribution of theatre pioneer Antonin Artaud to Dreyer’s masterpiece.

The Humanities Research Group is a co-sponsor of the lecture portion of the evening, and the University Singers are performing the cantata with the WSO Chorus. Featured soloists with UWindsor ties include alumna Erin Armstrong (BMus 2007), a soprano, and mezzo-soprano Lesley Andrew, a voice instructor.

Tickets for the screening and concert are available from the orchestra’s box office. Find details on its website. The Capitol Theatre is located at 121 University Avenue West.