Mirabai: An Art-Song Cycle

Choreography: Kaustavi Sarkar

Music: John Harbison

Performers: Kaustavi Sarkar, Susan Gouthro, soprano; Claudio Olivera, piano

Harbison wrote the song cycle “Mirabai Songs” in 1982 for soprano (or mezzosoprano) and piano. Mirabai is a sixteenth century mystic poet who devoted her life in loving devotion to her personal deity, Krishna. In this dramatic artsong cycle, one sees Mirabai’s yearning for, communion with, and eventual parting from Krishna. Harbison’s musical genius is complemented by soprano vocals by Gouthro alongside South Asian gestural and emotive aesthetics by Sarkar. Together, they bring to life the dramatic life of saint-poet Mira.