A Thousand Lives Live!
Is a poem always a lyric for a song? If a poem isn't a song lyric, how do you set it to music?
In a few days it will be cold and cloudy here in Madrid when we perform our show of poetry and music, but it all started with conversations in 40 degree heat. Parisa Salahshourian recently published a collection of her poetry with Ybernia press, called A Thousand Lives and I had enjoyed and admired the fragments she posted on Facebook.
Parisa directed a superb production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Madrid Players earlier this year and I was sure joining up her writing and directing skills with a musical element would work.
We met and made plans for an event that would combine poetry reading and live original piano music. Parisa invited Susana Monsó and Jay Mauro to guest, very experienced performers with great stage presence, and we selected a venue with a good piano and a friendly vibe.
Booking a venue and inviting friends to a show is a big step, and three things have happened since our first planning meeting that make me sure this will be a memorable occasion.
First, Parisa has directed our rehearsals with such sensitivity and clarity that her poetry is being presented in all its depth and honesty; second, I saw Susana acting in the Madrid Players production of Top Girls, directed by Joyce Buen, and her performance was stunning in every way; third Jay agreed to work with me to compose a song for one of Parisa's poems, and his musical ideas are original and unforgettable.
As for my questions: is a poem always a lyric for a song? If a poem isn't a song lyric, how do you set it to music? If you want to know the answer, I hope you will join us on Sunday 30 November, details on the poster: free admission.
https://www.centroasturianomadrid.es/
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