Who performed Kevin Puts's 'Emily -- No Prisoner Be'?

Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato performed Kevin Puts's 'Emily -- No Prisoner Be' with accompaniment from the string trio Time for Three.

What is Kevin Puts's 'Emily -- No Prisoner Be' about?

Kevin Puts's 'Emily -- No Prisoner Be' is a song cycle that sets two dozen poems by Emily Dickinson, exploring various shades of human experience and Dickinson's unique poetic voice.

How was the production of 'Emily -- No Prisoner Be' staged?

The production was staged within a stylized version of Emily Dickinson's bedroom, featuring sheer curtains and lighting that traced the emotional depths of the soul, enhancing the performance's intimacy.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / DiDonato Captures Dickinson's Soul in Song

DiDonato Captures Dickinson's Soul in Song

22 Feb

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Summary

Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato performed Kevin Puts's Emily.
The work features Emily Dickinson's poetry set to music.
Time for Three provided accompaniment for the performance.

DiDonato Captures Dickinson's Soul in Song

On February 19, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato captivated audiences at Carnegie Hall with Kevin Puts's "Emily -- No Prisoner Be." This extensive song cycle, setting two dozen Emily Dickinson poems, proved to be both intimate and grand, defying initial concerns about the venue's vastness.

DiDonato, accompanied by the innovative string trio Time for Three, masterfully navigated the emotional landscape of Dickinson's work. The performance ranged from the defiant opening of "They Shut me Up in Prose" to the introspective "I Was the Slightest in the House," showcasing Puts's skillful translation of Dickinson's unique rhythms and language into music.