The University of Vermont will be well represented in an unusual artistic event coming up Friday and Saturday. 

The Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble will present a program combining poetry and music entitled “Too Intimate?” on Friday, April 17,  at the Unitarian Church in Montpelier and Saturday, April 18, in the Black Box Theater at Main Street Landing in Burlington. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.

The performance features a nine-part poem, “The Husband’s Tale,” written by UVM English professor emeritus David Huddle, from his book Black Snake at the Family Reunion.

The piece is a beautiful poem about a husband’s relationship to his mute wife. The writing brings out the humorous and bitter-sweet qualities of living with a person with disabilities. Keenan Walsh (Seven Days) called it "A unique modern love story..." 

Five Vermont composers, David Feurzeig, Patricia Julien, John Mantegna, Jorge Martín and Evan Premo, have written musical responses to the poem. Feurzeig, Julien and Mantegna are all on the UVM faculty.

The result is a continuous flow of the poetry and music without applause or break. None of the poetic parts are set to music and the music is not an underscore of the readings. What ensues is a symbiosis of word and sound with each art form enhancing the other. The musicians’ response compositions are all world premieres.

Vermont musicians assembling for the performance include Nicola Cannizzaro, percussion; Laura Markowitz, violin; Karen Kevra, flute; Bonnie Klimowski, cello; Steven Klimowski, clarinet/bass clarinet; and Peter Matthews, guitar. Steven Klimowski, who organized the concert, also teaches at UVM. Cellist Bonnie Thurber Klimowski, Steve’s wife, is an alum. 

VCME gives annual concert presentations in Burlington and Montpelier with pre-concert lectures and post-concert receptions. It provides professional development support for composers and performers and conducts outreach activities for students of all ages.