But like the Arabic poetry sung or recited on tape, the choreography conceals its secrets.

It also included a nonsensical biography of the group resembling free-association poetry, recited by David Pritchard (electronic musician, record producer and CHUM-FM DJ, 1960s-1970s), accompanied by electronic background music and a collage of photos and artwork by Paul Till, appearing between the first and second songs.

My songs were influenced not so much by poetry on the page but by poetry being recited by the poets who recited poems with jazz bands.

Most of the poetry recited by King Sweeney was taken directly from the Middle Irish romance Buile Suibhne, O'Nolan slightly modifying the translations for comic effect.

It consists mainly of poetry recited by Drew over music performed by the group.

The music, via Ms. Zuckerman and Mr. Zeger playing works by Mancini, Messiaen, Miyagi, Rorem and Satie, is meant to illustrate the poetry recited by Ms. Bloom, that, in turn, is designed to illuminate the music.

Kunqu, like the other genres, is a musical drama, but it is also a stage performance that combines ballet, poetry recital, opera and music; classical poetry and literature, sung and recited, form the basis of the drama itself.