David Sidwell, composer of the music for "Tales of Nikolai Gogol" invited me to provide two pieces for inclusion in the musical: "Ti Sento Qui" for the characters Princess Volkonskaya and Nikolai Gogol and "The Secret" sung by Piskarev's love interest "SHE".
Developed from a 'pop-opera' work in progress with Italian lyric by Lilia Carpinelli - "Ti Sento Qui" was modified to fit Gogol's back-story and outline the loss of his lover.
It was performed live at Hamilton Gardens Art Festival Feb 23 2016 and again on August 29 at a Creative Waikato's 'Piano and Eggs' breakfast performance.