Dedicated to the children of immigrants, this performance combines spoken word, taped recordings, music box, original music for clarinet and piano, and photographs. Co-created by composer/pianist Craig Ames and clarinetist/storyteller Bess de Farber, the presentation engages the audience in a series of skillfully-delivered and captivating stories about de Farber’s life and family history. Poignant (and often comical), “Composing A Heart” celebrates the lives of de Farber’s parents with stories of their emigration to Miami Beach from Poland and Argentina. Following the performance, de Farber’s interactive discussion connects the audience to her story and their own.
Composing a Heart - Block Text
Miami Beach in 1958, a place for Jewish retirees from the northeast. And me. I’m almost 2. Mami dressed me in a pretty pink dress and a white bonnet to protect my head from the strong sun, and you can see Papi’s shadow in the foreground as he takes the picture. I’m surrounded by healthy pigeons on the dirty pier in South Beach, with signs promoting hamburgers and orange juice.
