Completely Clara: a Musical Journey Into the Life of a Great Musician (and Her Husband)

Clara Wieck Schumann (1819-1896) was not only the wife of one of the most eminent composers of the Romantic Era (Robert Schumann (1810-1856) but also one of the greatest concert pianists of the Nineteenth Century, a composer in her own right, and the mother of seven surviving children. She was one of the first "Super Moms" who not only ran a very large household, performed regularly as a piano soloist, and through her efforts advanced her husband's career, but also took care of a man who, from early on in their marriage, suffered from mental illness.

"Completely Clara" is a one-woman show conceived by Joel Shatzky and adopted from his fictional biography of the Schumann's, "Eternal Duet," which he wrote with Joanne Napoli. In these sixteen brief scenes, expertly performed by Ali Brunell, you will get glimpses of the life of one of the most remarkable women of the Romantic period. What is unique about this presentation is that the story will be accompanied by music written both by Robert and Clara Schumann as performed by the playwright. After the performance there will be a book signing of the novel on which the play was based, by the co-author, Joel Shatzky.