It seems that every time Emily Dickinson’s name is mentioned, people have an instant reaction accompanied by a smile. Her poetry has inspired books, films, and plays – and now, the Verdi Chorus is kicking off its 40th anniversary season, by presenting with the Sahm Family Foundation, This, and My Heart, A Portrait of Emily Dickinson and Her Worlds Through Text and Song on Sunday, October 15 at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica.
This unique theatre/concert piece celebrates the genius of Dickinson, interspersing spoken readings of her text with musical settings of her poems by composers Aaron Copland, Lori Laitman, Tom Cipullo and Steve Heitzeg. Verdi Chorus Artistic Director Anne Marie Ketchum portrays Emily Dickinson with Fox Singers (a satellite group of the Verdi Chorus) Alexandra Bass, Tiffany Ho and Megan McDonald expressing Dickinson’s thoughts through the singing of her poetry. Victoria Kirsch is the pianist.
This, and My Heart was written by Ketchum, Kirsch and actress Linda Kelsey, and was first presented as part of Grand Performances in Los Angeles. The piece premiered in 2009 and was performed throughout Southern California over the next five years, including engagements at Stanford University and the Annenberg Beach House.
Ketchum says, “Emily Dickinson was a woman who led a life that was hers and hers alone; she didn’t follow all the rules of her time and culture – she was aware of them, but dealt with them in her own way and on her own terms. The poetry of Emily Dickinson moves in so many surprising directions with the change of a single word from what you might expect to hear. She can take a simple thought or concept and bring a profundity to it that cuts to the core.”
photos courtesy of The Verdi Chorus
This, and My Heart
The Fox Singers
presented by The Verdi Chorus
First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd Street in Santa Monica
Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 4
for tickets ($10-$50), visit Verdi Chorus
