Meet the Composer

Susan Botti

During Susan Botti's week-long residency, our Composer's Forum will present public performances of two of Ms. Botti's works. On August 10, accomplished amateur chamber music players will perform a work composed by Ms. Botti specifically for her week in residence. The players will be coached by Ms. Botti on this work in advance of the performance. On August 13, there will be a performance of Ms. Botti's Dido Refuses to Speak,a setting of poetry by National Book Award finalist, Linda Gregerson, for soprano and piano trio. Ms. Botti will sing the soprano part in the performance and will be accompanied by Renee Jolles, violin, James Wilson, cello, and Phillip Bush, piano.

The Composer will deliver public remarks about the origin and composition of her works at both public performances. The Composer will also participate as a performer in Dido Refuses to Speak on August 13. Ms. Botti will lead a 2 hour public open rehearsal of Dido during the week and give audience members an inside view of the creative process in putting together a performance of a contemporary work. A more informal "Lunch with the Composer" will be featured on Friday of her residency week, a public lecture in which Ms. Botti presents audio excerpts and scores of her works. This format enables composer to engage in informal dialogue with the public about the creative process and what drives a composer's compositional and artistic decisions.