Falmouth, Maine - One of the most celebrated song cycles ever written has inspired two world- renowned musicians and a critically acclaimed choreographer to collaborate on a new project right here in Maine.  The Poet’s Love is a new work by Maine State Ballet Artistic Director Linda MacArthur Miele in collaboration with baritone Aaron Engebreth and pianist Alison d’Amato, co-directors of the internationally acclaimed Florestan Recital Project.  The ballet is a fusion of classical music, romantic poetry, and dance.

Dichterliebe, or The Poet’s Love, was composed by Robert Schumann in 1840.  The texts for the 16 song cycle were written by Heinrich Heine as part of his master work, the Lyrisches Intermezzo.The collaboration between Maine State Ballet and the Florestan Recital Project was a year in the making… and it all began with a little girl in a ballet class.

Aaron Engebreth has performed with other ballet companies throughout his career, including the Boston Ballet and the Mark Morris Dance Group.  He says singing with a ballet company is one of his favorite ways to perform.  When his young daughter began taking class at Maine State Ballet’s affiliated School for the Performing Arts, Engebreth was impressed by the friendly, family oriented atmosphere of the school.  He found the Company to be not only incredibly professional, but also warm and welcoming.  He approached Artistic Director Linda MacArthur Miele about working on a collaborative piece, and the work began in earnest about a year ago.

Engebreth and Miele agreed that in order for the collaboration to work, the right musical selection was key.  For months, they listened to a variety of music, from Broadway standards to Gershwin.  Nothing clicked.  Then Engebreth brought a recording of  Schumann’s The Poet’s Love.  “I could tell right away that Linda loved it,” says Engebreth.  “I could see it in her eyes.”

According to Miele, the other pieces were nice, but they just didn’t feel appropriate.  “But once I heard The Poet’s Love, I knew we had the right piece.  The music was so rich and beautiful that I could see the ballet forming right before my eyes.”  Once she began working with the music, creating the ballet was a seamless process.  “The music is inspiring, and it has a soul all its own.”

Once Miele had the ballet set in her mind, it was time to set it on the stage.  She selected seven of her most seasoned dancers, Company members Janet Davis, Kate Hamilton, Elizabeth Dragoni, Glenn Davis, Frederick Bernier, Michael Holden, and Nathaniel Dombek.  Their musicality and stage presence would bring Schumann’s masterpiece to life. 

The Poet’s Love has provided an exciting challenge for the dancers.  It is a cerebral, emotional ballet, and it requires dancers who are mature enough to reach that level of sophistication.  In order to set the mood of the piece firmly in the dancers’ psyche, Engebreth invited them to his home, where he performed the 16 song cycle for them.  It was an inspirational evening, and the perfect way to include the dancers in the creative process.  It helped them feel the rhythm of the live performance, and understand how their dancing would have to follow Engebreth’s timing and phrasing.

Miele says she cannot wait to share The Poet’s Love with an audience.  “Aaron has a wonderful baritone voice, and his interpretation of the music is incredibly moving.  Add to that a glorious grand piano and seven dancers in original costumes straight out of the romantic period, and you have night to remember.”

The Poet’s Love will premiere on Thursday, August 4th, 7pm, at the Maine State Ballet Theater.  This performance is a special benefit to support Maine State Ballet’s ongoing performances and programs.  An hors d’oeuvres reception will begin at 7pm.  The piece will be introduced and performed at 8pm, and a conversation with the artists will follow.  Tickets for the benefit are $75 for reserved table seating and $50 for tiered seating.  Reservations can be made through the website, www.mainestateballet.org, by calling the box office at 207-781-3587, weekdays from 10am to 4pm.  The Poet’s Love will also be performed along with two of Miele’s recently created ballets, Souvenir and Napoli on August 5, 6, 12 and 13; see website for more detail.

Photo attached by Beth Pelletier.
Maine State Ballet in The Poet’s Love
Glenn Davis, Janet Davis, Elizabeth Dragoni, Kate Hamilton