It Will Celebrate Dickinson With Spoken Renditions of Her Writings and Music Compositions Inspired by Her Poems
The Verdi Chorus marks its 40th Anniversary season with the launch of “This, and My Heart: A Portrait of Emily Dickinson and Her Worlds Through Text and Song,” scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 15t at 4 p.m.
The theatrical and musical performance, presented in collaboration with the Sahm Family Foundation, will take place at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica. It celebrates the brilliance of Emily Dickinson, weaving together spoken renditions of her writings with musical compositions inspired by her poems, courtesy of esteemed composers such as Aaron Copland, Lori Laitman, Tom Cipullo, and Steve Heitzeg.
Artistic Director Anne Marie Ketchum assumes the role of Emily Dickinson, both in spoken word and song. Joining her are Fox Singers Alexandra Bass, Tiffany Ho, and Megan McDonald, who use their voices to convey Dickinson’s profound musings through her poetry. The pianist for this performance is Victoria Kirsch.
Rather than following a chronological narrative of Emily Dickinson’s life, “This, and My Heart” explores various facets of her thoughts within the context of her life, including her perspectives on nature, fame, religion, love, and death.
Tickets for “This, and My Heart: A Portrait of Emily Dickinson” are available for purchase at www.verdichorus.org. Priority seating is offered at $50, general admission at $40, seniors at $30, and students aged 25 and under with a valid ID at $10.
Verdi Chorus is a nonprofit dedicated to presenting opera choruses and developing young professional singers’ careers. Founded in 1983, it presents four concerts each year along with other collaborative events with a repertoire including over 300 choruses from 81 operas in seven languages.
