“Some of the melodies for The Log are traditional Irish folk songs, so popular with New England coastal communities, including those along the mid-coast of Maine, where Dorothea and Fred Balano lived and where some members of the Balano family still live.

“A few years ago, I met Dorothea and Fred’s grandson, Jim Balano, on Monhegan Island, Maine. In the course of his family recollections, he sang two melodies which he said his grandfather particularly liked – “The Leaving of Liverpool” and “Goin’ Home,” the second one familiar as the theme from Dvojak’s New World Symphony. Naturally, these tunes found their way into the score.

“The two Portuguese tunes that Dorothea sings during the trip to Rio, “Ole mulher rendera” and “Voce pense,” are actual ballads known to people in both Portugal and Brazil.”

– Allan Crossman

A Contemporary Musical

Libretto by / Texte:Joann G. Breuer

Based on the book by James Balano after the diary of Dorothea Balano

1. Overture

2-8. Part 1

9-19. Part 2

20-24. Part 3