Dr. Atomic

Here is  a recording (and a few photographs) from the opera that I mentioned in class today. The aria is sung by the character of Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the main architect of the Manhatten Project, on the eve of the first testing of the atomic bomb. This is from the Wikipedia page on Oppenhiemer: "The first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945 in the Trinity test in New Mexico; Oppenheimer remarked later that it brought to mind words from the Bhagavad Gita [a sacred Hindu text]: 'Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' "

Here is the text of the aria as well, which is a poem by John Donne that Oppenheimer had written in his journal. In terms of our conversation, this point where religion, ethics, and science come together is very compelling and interesting.

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town to'another due,
Labor to'admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly'I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me,'untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you'enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.