A Certain Sense of Order is a work for two female singers exploring the American poet Anne Sexton. Using the text of a single poem—“For John, Who Begs Me Not to Inquire Further”—the piece reflects on Sexton’s life and work, including her practice of recording and listening to tapes of her therapy sessions. While reciting excerpts of the poem, the singers perform activities reminiscent of a variety of practices from Sexton’s life: writing at a typewriter, recording speech, listening to tapes. Transitioning between media, the singers manifest and mingle roles from the home and therapy room. Rather than a literal or biographical representation of the poet or her work, the piece is better understood as a performed poetic interpretation. The performance will be followed by a discussion.

More information about the performers can be found here.

Image credit

Images of A Certain Sense of Order, Rough for Opera, London UK. A new work by Catherine Kontz, Naomi Woo, and Sasha Amaya. Featured singers: Rosie Middleton and Rebecca Cuddy. Images by Claire Shovelton. twitter @no_commentary / instagram @nocommentary .