BACKGROUND

Eliott Matthew Cherry has been active as a cellist, composer and teacher of music. He has focused exclusively on performing A Finished Heart ​since its completion in 2009. Eliott works to foster empathy, which he believes is the most important agent of social progress.
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Eliott kept a diary of his conversations with his husband of sixteen years, Chris Chenard, as he cared for Chris at their home during three months of illness. After Chris died, Eliott expanded his writings with poetry and prose. This journal is the source of A Finished Heart, for which Eliott has created an accompanying musical score for solo piano. A Finished Heart has been presented 47 times, including collaborations with universities, non-profit organizations, high schools, libraries and municipalities.

In the USA, A Finished Heart has received support from many state and regional grants and has been chosen to support clinical continuing education for health care professionals. In 2023, A Finished Heart received its European premiere in Lisbon, Portugal.

Abridged Bio & Production Summary
Synopsis
Sinopse e Descrições em português

CREATING A FINISHED HEART

Caring for Chris at home, I was filled with gratitude for our remaining time together, amazed and inspired by our conversations. As we spoke, I remembered our words and, as Chris slept, I wrote down as much as I could.

Gradually,  I knew that I would be compelled to share our intimate dialogues filled with tenderness, grief, humor, devotion and transformation. Chris gave me his blessing and, two years after his death, I created this one-man performance called, A Finished Heart. It integrates narrative, conversation, poetry that I wrote after Chris died and a musical score.

Why do I perform this piece? A Finished Heart is a celebration of feeling ...

I wish to strengthen people's compassion for one another through emotional connection. I want to create community by inviting you into the world of two men who have committed their lives to each other.

MORE Thoughts on "Creating"

Chris' Bio