Hundreds of years ago when Andover was settled and established, a woman named Anne Dudley Bradstreet made a name for herself here.
Anne, the wife of Simon Bradstreet who co-founded Cambridge and was a Massachusetts governor, is acknowledged as the first American woman to have her poetry published.
While she died in 1672, Anne Bradstreet certainly hasn't been forgotten in the Merrimack Valley.
In celebration of her work and her life, the Andover and North Andover Historical societies are teaming up with the Essex Chamber Music Players to present her poetry in a unique multimedia performance on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the North Parish Church in North Andover.
Local composers will set Bradstreet's words to music. The poetry will be recited by Andover resident, actress and storyteller Susan Lenoe.
The program will incorporate flute, cello, piano, and vocal music that portrays the meaning behind Bradstreet's words, as well as serving to educate about the 1600s. Lenoe will dress as and impersonate Anne Bradstreet, giving the audience a flavor of what life was like for her and other early Andover and North Andover settlers.
"The Bradstreet's home was probably right across from where the North Andover Historical Society is today," says Carol Majahad from the North Andover Historical Society. "Anne's work was actually taken to England by a family member without her knowledge, and published there at first. And it's really just so amazing that such a prominent historical figure lived right here."
The Essex Chamber Music Players are where the multimedia aspect of the program comes in. For the first time, Bradstreet's words will be accompanied by pieces composed especially for the performance.
"It tends to fall into the genre of program music," says Michael Finegold, flutist, composer, and artistic director of the Essex Chamber Music Players. "We're really trying to illustrate the poetry, literally, as well as with more abstract techniques."
The music may be composed with Bradstreet's words in mind, but what about Bradstreet herself? Lenoe is looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm really passionate about playing these incredible women," Lenoe says. "And I've actually played Anne Bradstreet before, but this will be the first time with the music. It's just an amazing story, and it's local so that's even better."
Majahad and Finegold hope the local interest will attract people to the performance.
"It's easier to like history when you can connect to it," Majahad says, "I want to share with people what I feel - to have the audience make the connection that these were real people just like them, not just words on a piece of paper."
If You Go
What: "An Afternoon with Anne Bradstreet."
Where: North Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, North Andover.
When: 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15.
How: Tickets, $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Can also be purchased at the North Andover Historical Society, 153 Academy Road, North Andover; the Andover Historical Society, 97 Main St., Andover; and the Andover Book Store, 89 Main St., Andover. Visit www.northandoverhistoricalsociety.org or call 978-686-4085 for more information.
