The music that Emily Dickinson knew and loved is brought to life in words and music, illuminating her poetic voice that was emerging against the backdrop of the impending Civil War.
Bringing research to the stage, The Red Skies Music Ensemble takes audiences on a rich journey through the musical engagements, social context and historical events that informed and enlivened Dickinson’s poetry that was emerging just as our country plunged towards Civil War.
Interwoven with a curated and archive-based illustrated narrative presented by George Boziwick, the program centers on Dickinson’s “binders’ volume,” her personal sheet music collection, which is part of the Dickinson Collection at the Houghton Library of Harvard University. Actress Elise Toscano uses Emily Dickinson’s own words to vividly portray Dickinson’s New England spirit as a knowing observer of her inner and outer musical and poetic worlds.
Co-sponsored by Houghton Library and the Loeb Music Library of Harvard University.
Presented by Harvard Library.
Notable dates
Credits
Curator and Musical Director: George Boziwick
Artistic Director: Trudy Williams
Performers:
George Boziwick: Presenter, Harmonica
Brendan Dolan: Piano
Phil Forbes: Percussion
Don Meade: Fiddle, Banjo, Harmonica, Voice
Rob Meador: Mandolin, Voice
Elise Toscano: Emily Dickinson, Voice
Trudy Williams: Bass
Crew
Technical Coordinator: Mark Russo
Costume Design: Jeaninne Intriaglo
The Red Skies Music Ensemble co-founders George Boziwick (Curator and Musical Director) and Trudy Williams (Artistic Director) co-create and produce programs that combine music and scholarship making archives and special collections come alive through research and performance.