American Songs Inspired by American Women Poets

Art Song is a genre of Western classical chamber music that fuses poetry and music, typically composed for the duo of voice and piano. While the genre came into its own in 19th century Europe, it has flourished in the United States during the 20th and 21st centuries, with many fine examples from famous and lesser-known American composers. This guided listening workshop briefly familiarizes participants with the Art Song genre before delving into the poetry of three American women – Emily Dickinson, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Lisa DeSiro – whose imagery and insights have inspired composers past and present to set their words to music.