The Arneis Quartet brings an inspiring New England story to life in Lighthouse Keeper: The Story of Abbie Burgess, a family-friendly musical work by composer Delvyn Case. Narrator Jean Danton invites audiences into a world of imagination, resilience, and discovery as she tells the true story of a young woman who kept a lighthouse burning through fierce coastal storms while her father was stranded on the mainland.
Designed especially for families and young listeners, this interactive performance weaves together storytelling and live music, inviting children to sing along, imagine the roar of the sea, and help bring the story to life. Before the performance, families are invited to create their own weather flags to use during the concert, making this an engaging and participatory musical experience.
Pre-concert craft activity for kids, 2 PM
-Make your own weather flags to use during the performance!
Free, reservations encouraged.
Location: First Congregational Church, Rockport
About the Program
Written for string quartet and narrator, Delvyn Case’s Lighthouse Keeper draws on historical accounts and children’s literature to tell the story of Abbie Burgess, a real-life teenage lighthouse keeper whose courage and determination made her a local legend along the Maine coast. Through music and narration, the piece introduces audiences to the expressive power of the string quartet while celebrating perseverance, responsibility, and quiet heroism.
About the Artists
The Arneis Quartet is known for its expressive sound, collaborative spirit, and commitment to community-centered music making. Praised for playing with “a conviction that commands attention” (Fanfare) and a sound “as warm and full of sparkle as liquid gold” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), the ensemble performs widely across the U.S. and beyond, engaging audiences through both classical and contemporary repertoire.
Delvyn Case, composer, is a musician, educator, writer, and scholar whose work spans the classical music world and the intersection of music, faith, and storytelling. His compositions often draw on narrative, history, and lived experience to create meaningful connections with audiences.
Jean Danton, narrator, is a soprano and Equity actor who has appeared throughout the United States and Europe in oratorio, opera, recitals, musicals, and concert performances. She brings warmth, clarity, and dramatic presence to storytelling for audiences of all ages.
