NH's Composer Amy Cheney Beach---a memoir in words & music

NH composer Amy Beach in Words and Music at Dover Library April 16

       On Tuesday, April 16 at 7pm, the Friends of the Dover Public Library are pleased to present a tribute, called “Words and Music”, to NH composer Amy Cheney Beach (1867—1944). Hear the story of America’s first female composer of large-scale classical music – brought to life by performers Marie Harris and Adi Rule.

       Amy Beach’s "Gaelic" Symphony, premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1896, was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. An acclaimed pianist and New Hampshire native, Beach was a child prodigy and is often referred to as ‘the Dean of American Women Composers.’ In this moving memoir, Marie Harris plays the part of Amy Beach while Adi Rule provides musical accompaniment.

       Marie Harris is a former Poet Laureate of New Hampshire and author of several volumes of poetry and children's books, including “G is for Granite” and “The Girl Who Heard Colors”. She has done extensive research on the life and works of Amy Beach, and created this presentation.  

       Adi Rule is a soprano who grew up singing and doing theater in New Hampshire. She was a member of, and a soloist for, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, which is the chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra/Boston Pops. Adi is also a writer. Her next book, “Hearts of Ice”, comes out in September 2019 from Scholastic. Visit her online at adirule.com.

        This program is free. For more information, call the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.