Divine Madness:
The Oratorio
Paul Pines (Librettist)
“In these beautifully crafted poems… Pines asks what it means to face death and despair, what it means to doubt meaning while believing in meaning, what it has meant through the centuries.”
Susan Sherman
“Extraordinary and daring...stunning book.”
George Economou
“Remarkable.”
Jacket 2​
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“Paul Pines is Brilliant!”
American Book Review
“One of the most insightful treatments a poet could hope for.”
Notre Dame Review
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“The only other person I can compare this to is Goethe ... powerful stuff!”
Paul Elisha, NPR
“Very penetrating and precise. What a gift.”
Justin Moore
“Pines goes right to the radical nature of metaphor in poetry”
Robert Kelly
Paul Pines (d. 2018) has a notable place in literary history as a prolific poet, writer, and memoirist.
A writer of over a dozen published literary works, including books of poetry, prose, novels, and his personal memoir My Brother’s Madness, Pines was twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize (Hotel Madden Poems in 1991 and Pines Songs in 1993). He is also a recipient of multiple Adirondack Center for Writing Awards.
Divine Madness, is a book of poetry mythological in its nature which explores the minds of history’s greatest thinkers, scientists, and artists who dared to be outspoken and unpopular. The book was was one of Pine’s final works.
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Pines is also credited with enriching the world of jazz music. He founded and owned the famous 1970s Bowery-based jazz club, The Tin Palace. He also founded and hosted the prominent Jazz at the Lake: Lake George Jazz Weekend.
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The merging of music and poetry led to several joint works with Daniel Asia including The Tin Angel Opera, based on Pine’s book about the Tin Palace.
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The Tin Angel is set to premiere with Teatro Grattacielo in 2025.