Demonstrations of Love is comprised of four short songs about the stages of love: from new beginnings (“Hope”); to growing emotions (“Falling”); to a lifetime of commitment/partnership (“40 Years”) and finally death – either physical or the end of the affair – (“Everywhere”).

This song cycle was written for soprano Lauren Welliehausen as part of her concert series of romantic vocal works by Wagner and Puccini. Demonstrations of Love had its world premiere in Hannover, Germany in October 2009, with Pei Chao Liao at the piano; the cycle was later performed in Zurich, Switzerland in November 2009 with Michael Hirsch accompanying Ms. Welliehausen. The American premiere took place in New York City in March 2014 and featured soprano Sharon Harms, accompanied by pianist Christopher Oldfather. — Patricia Leonard