Diminished Prophets Performing Melopoeia of Love Poems

The Newburyport Literary Festival presents the Diminished Prophets performing their new “Melopoeia of Love Poems” featuring poets Rhina P. Espaillat and Alfred Nicol; vocalist Shannon Muhs; John Tavano on Spanish guitar; and Roger Kimball on bass and cello.

 

Melopoeia is an ancient art whose Greek name, a combination of melos ("melody") and poiein ("to make," root of the word poeta, "maker," and poetria, "poetry"), suggests its nature: a performance involving poetry recited to a musical accompaniment. The poetry is spoken, not sung in the form of song lyrics, so that the two arts flow separately, through and around each other, without either becoming dominant over the other.

All proceeds benefit the 2026 Newburyport Literary Festival

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