Lives are spent in pursuit of love and dreams. But when faced with tragedy, how can hope be regained?

This newly devised drama-recital features mezzo-soprano, Marie Engle with string quartet, chamber chorus and piano, and merges her autobiographical narrative with song. Enjoy classical song, musical theater, jazz and hymns combined in a program of emotion delving into the conflict of loss and living.

Note about the Program:

During my pandemic quarantine stay in Central Kansas, I developed this collaboration with the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains to create a safe, acoustic outdoor concert that would re-engage the community with live music. Having set out to create a standard recital performance, I soon diverted my attention and found myself creating a narrative, one that traced my own experience and emotional journey over the past ten years of pursuing music.
Using the classic operatic structure of “recitative-aria form” (speech-like sections where the drama progresses, followed by lyrical numbers that divulge the emotions), I devised this drama-recital that merges the drama of an opera with the intimacy of a recital. Short monologues progress the story, while the musical selections allow emotions to sink in.

I am grateful to the Dyck Arboretum for supporting my creation of this project to perform in the ambience of the beautiful Arboretum. To Cornelia Sommer, Emily Duncan and Russell Adrian, who worked with me to create beautiful string and choral arrangements of many of the pieces. It was a gift to collaborate with Hesston College’s Bel Canto Singers, who add great dimension to this story; with a string quartet of local talent, arranged by Rebecca Schloneger; and Ken Rodgers at the piano.

I hope that you will find your own life’s version of the story I tell tonight: whether that is a family-related tragedy, like my own; losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; or other others. There is always hope, my friends. For just as bulbs bloom into flowers each year, there is resurrection from loss in every imaginable tragedy.

-Marie Engle

Click below to play concert stream.

Use this link to access the full PROGRAM.

Gallery

photos by Amy Sharp Photography