From oral tradition to hymns and chants to modern singer-songwriters, poetry and music have intertwined and sung stories to rapt listeners throughout the ages. On HAUNTED, composer Paul Salerni uses this time-honored pairing to present a quartet of contemporary works for vocal ensembles. Dana Gioia’s poetry and Salerni’s musical acumen combine to form rich and unique narratives, telling tales of love wrapped in a ghost story, a jailbird meeting a femme fatale, a rough-and-tumble cowboy, and finding strength during hardship.