ARCHIVE OF PAST SEASONS
BOSTON's PROFESSIONAL CHORAL ENSEMBLE PERFORMING MUSIC OF WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM THE 9th CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY
BOSTON's PROFESSIONAL CHORAL ENSEMBLE PERFORMING MUSIC OF WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM THE 9th CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY
BOSTON's PROFESSIONAL CHORAL ENSEMBLE PERFORMING MUSIC OF WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM THE 9th CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY
BOSTON's PROFESSIONAL CHORAL ENSEMBLE PERFORMING MUSIC OF WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM THE 9th CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY
BOSTON's PROFESSIONAL CHORAL ENSEMBLE PERFORMING MUSIC OF WOMEN COMPOSERS FROM THE 9th CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY
Photo: Eric Antoniou
HERSTORY Translations
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When Augustus became monarch upon earth,
The Multitude of kingdoms among men was ended.
And when Thou was incarnate of the Holy One,
The multitude of divinities among the idols was put down.
Beneath one universal empire have the cities come,
And in one divine dominion the nations believed.
The folk were enrolled by the decrees of the emperor,
We the faithful, have been inscribed in the name of Deity.
Oh, Thou our incarnate Lord,
Great is Thy mercy, to Thee be glory.
~Translated from Byzantine Greek by H.J.W Tillyard
"Abendfeier in Venedig"
from “Drei gemischte Chöre” (1844-50)
by Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
Ave Maria! Meer und Himmel ruhn,
Von allen Türmen hallt der Glocke Ton.
Ave Maria! Laßt vom ird'schen Tun,
Zur Jungfrau betet, zu der Jungfrau Sohn!
Des Himmels Scharen selber knieen nun
Mit Lilienstäben vor des Vaters Thron,
Und durch die Rosenwolken wehn die Lieder
Der sel'gen Geister feierlich hernieder.
O heil'ge Andacht, welche jedes Herz
Mit leisen Schauern wunderbar durchdringt!
O sel'ger Glaube, der sich himmelwärts
Auf des Gebetes weißem Fittich schwingt!
In milde Tränen löst sich da der Schmerz,
Indes der Freude Jubel sanfter klingt.
Ave Maria! Wenn die Glocke tönet,
So lächeln Erd' und Himmel mild versöhnet.
~Emanuel Geibel
Ave Maria! Sea and sky are at rest,
Bells ring out from all the towers.
Ave Maria! Leave all earthly activity,
Pray to the Virgin, to the Virgin’s Son!
The angelic throng now is kneeling
With lilies wrapped around their staves,
And through the roseate clouds, the songs
Of blessed spirits float ceremoniously down.
O holy devotion, which every heart
Wonderfully permeated with quiet showers!
O blissful faith that moves heavenwards
Swing on prayer's white wing!
The pain dissolves in mild tears,
While the joy's jubilation sounds softer.
Ave Maria! When the bell rings
So smile earth and heaven, mildly reconciled.
"Resignation"
by Florence Price (1887-1953)
My life is a pathway of sorrow; I’ve struggled and toiled in the sun
With hope that the dawn of tomorrow would break on a work that is done.
My Master has pointed the way, He taught me in prayer to say:
“Lord, give ud this day our daily bread”; I hunger, yet I shall be fed.
My feet, they are wounded and dragging, my body is tortured with pain,
My heart, it is shattered and flagging - what matter, if Heaven I gain?
Of happiness I have tasted, ‘twas only an instant it paused.
Tho’ brief was the hour I wasted, forever the woe that it caused.
I’m tired and I want to go home. My mother and sister are there;
They’re waiting for me to come where mansions are bright and fair.
~Text by Florence Price
"Gondoliera"
from “Drei gemischte Chöre” (1844-50)
by Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
O komm zu mir, wenn durch die Nacht
Wandelt das Sternenheer,
Dann schwebt mit uns in Mondespracht
Die Gondel übers Meer.
Die Luft ist weich wie Liebesscherz,
Sanft spielt der goldne Schein,
Die Zither klingt und zieht dein Herz
Mit in die Lust hinein.
O komm zu mir, wenn durch die Nacht
Wandelt das Sternenheer,
Dann schwebt mit uns in Mondespracht
Die Gondel übers Meer.
Dies ist für sel’ge Lieb’ die Stund,
Liebchen, o komm und schau,
so friedlich strahlt des Himmels Rund,
es schläft des Meeres Blau.
Und wie es schläft, so sagt der Blick,
Was nie die Zunge spricht,
Das Auge zieht sich nicht zurück,
Zurück die Seele nicht
O komm zu mir, wenn durch die Nacht
Wandelt das Sternenheer,
Dann schwebt mit uns in Mondespracht
Die Gondel übers Meer.
~Emanuel Geibel
O come to me, o come to me when
through the night the host of stars wander,
Then, in the splendor of moonlight
the gondola will float over us like water.
The air is as soft as playful love,
the golden glow plays softly over the water,
The zither sounds and pulls your heart into desire.
O come to me, o come to me when
through the night the host of stars wander,
Then, in the splendor of moonlight
the gondola will float over us like water.
That is the hour for lovers, Beloved, as you and I.
So peacefully the vault of heaven turns blue,
And the lake sleeps quietly.
And as it sleeps the glance speaks
what the tongue never does,
The lips do not draw back, and
do not resist the kiss.
O come to me, o come to me when
through the night the host of stars wander,
Then, in the splendor of moonlight
the gondola will float over us like water.
~Translation by Robin Jackson Horne
"O Herbst"
from 53 Musikstücke, 1846
by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847)
O Herbst, in linden Tagen,
wie hast du rings dein Reich
phantastisch aufgeschlagen,
so bunt und doch so bleich.
Wie öde, ohne Brüder,
mein Tal so weit und breit.
Ich kenne dich kaum wieder
in dieser Einsamkeit.
So wunderbare Weise
singt nun dein bleicher Mund,
es ist, als öffne leise
sich unter mir der Grund.
Und ich ruht überwoben,
du sängest immerzu.
Die Linde schüttelt oben
ihr Laub und deckt mich zu.
~Joseph von Eichendorff
O autumn, in linden days,
how do you have your kingdom all around
fantastic pitched,
so colorful and yet so pale.
How desolate, without brothers,
my valley far and wide.
I hardly recognize you
in this solitude
Such a wonderful way
sings now your pale mouth,
it's like opening quietly
the ground beneath me.
And I rest overwoven
you're always singing
The linden tree shakes above
her leaves and covers me.
"Schilflied"
from Schilflieder, No. 1
(Aus der “Lotte-Dichtung" von 1831-33)
by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847)
Drüben geht die Sonnen scheiden,
Und der müde Tag entschlief.
Niederhangen hier die Weiden
In den Teich, so still, so tief.
Und ich muß mein Liebstes meiden:
Quill, o Träne, quill hervor!
Traurig säuseln hier die Weiden,
Und im Winde bebt das Rohr.
In mein stilles, tiefes Leiden
Strahlst du, Ferne! hell und mild,
Wie durch Binsen hier und Weiden
Strahlt des Abendsternes Bild.
~Nicolaus Lenau (1802-1850)
Over there the sun is parting,
And the weary day has passed away.
Here the willows hang down in the pond,
so still, so deep.
And I must avoid my dearest:
Well, o tears, well well!
The willows murmur sadly,
And the reed trembles in the wind.
In my quiet, deep suffering you shine,
far away! bright and mild,
As through rushes here and willows,
the evening star's image shines.
"Nacht Liegt auf den Fremden Wegen"
by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847)
Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen,
Krankes Herz und müde Glieder;
Ach, da fließt, wie stiller Segen,
Süßer Mond, dein Licht hernieder.
Süßer Mond, mit deinen Strahlen
Scheuchest du das nächtge Grauen;
Es zerrinnen meine Qualen,
Und die Augen übertauen.
~Heinrich Heine
Night lies on the foreign paths,
Sick heart and weary limbs;
Ah, there flows, like a quiet blessing,
Sweet moon, down your light.
Sweet moon, with your rays
you shoo away the horror of the night;
my torments melt away
And the eyes dew.
"Madre la de los Primores"
by Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648-1695)
Mother, the one most beautiful,
the one who is both virgin and mother,
the mother of so many daughters,
and mother of many fathers.
Enjoy a celebration today in your temple
because of your husband you are divine Atlantean.
Reformer lady,
the one who for her blessed friars,
brings them through those deserts,
in the sun, in the snow, in the air.
Enjoy…
Their reward for your work
Heaven pays by commanding them
To remove their shoes
so that they rise to heaven.
Enjoy...
Who saw you and sees you now
walks through groves and valleys;
then, and at those celebrations
You occupy a thousand altars.
Enjoy...
For God's sake my lady nun,
you knew the difficulties of love,
following your son faithfully,
because the cross was carried on his back
Enjoy...
Rest in good time
in the temple that celebrates you,
And to all who love you
let them also rest from work.
Enjoy...
Madre, la de los primores,
la que es virgen siendo madre,
la madre de tantas hijas,
y madre de tantos padres.
Goza hoy en tu templo felicidades,
pues de tu esposo eres divino Atlante.
Señora reformadora,
la que a sus benditos frailes,
los trae por esos desiertos,
al sol, a la nieve, al aire.
Goza hoy...
El premio de sus trabajos
paga el cielo conmandarle,
que para que al cielo suban,
les haga que descalsen.
Goza hoy...
Quien la vido y la ve
agora andar por sotos,
y valles entonces,
y en esas fiestas ocupar mil altares.
Goza hoy...
Por dios my señora monja,
que supo de amor los lances,
pues se hechó la cruz a cuestas
por seguir bien a su amante.
Goza hoy...
Descanse muy en buen hora
en el templo que le hace,
quien amante solicita que
de trabajar descanse.
Goza hoy...
Mother, the one most beautiful,
the one who is both virgin and mother,
the mother of so many daughters,
and mother of many fathers.
Enjoy a celebration today in your temple
because of your husband you are divine Atlantean.
Reformer lady,
the one who for her blessed friars,
brings them through those deserts,
in the sun, in the snow, in the air.
Enjoy…
Their reward for your work
Heaven pays by commanding them
To remove their shoes
so that they rise to heaven.
Enjoy...
Who saw you and sees you now
walks through groves and valleys;
then, and at those celebrations
You occupy a thousand altars.
Enjoy...
For God's sake my lady nun,
you knew the difficulties of love,
following your son faithfully,
because the cross was carried on his back
Enjoy...
Rest in good time
in the temple that celebrates you,
And to all who love you
let them also rest from work.
Enjoy...
"Im Wald"
No. 6 From Gartenlieder Op. 3
by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847)
Im Wald, im hellen Sonnenschein,
Wenn alle Knospen springen,
[Dann] mag ich gerne mittendrein
Eins singen.
Wie mir zu Mut in Leid und Lust,
Im Wachen und im Träumen,
Das stimm ich an aus voller Brust
Den Bäumen.
Und sie verstehen mich gar fein,
Die Blätter alle lauschen
Und fall'n am rechten Orte ein,
Mit Rauschen.
Und weiter [wandelt] Schall und Hall,
In Wipfeln, Fels und Büschen.
Hell schmettert auch Frau Nachtigall
Dazwischen.
Da fühlt die Brust am eignen Klang,
Sie darf sich was erkühnen,
O frische [Luft!] Gesang! Gesang
Im Grünen.
~Emanuel Giebel
In the forest, in bright sunshine,
when all the buds spring up,
it is right in the middle of there that I like
to sing a song.
According to my mood, in sorrow and joy,
awake and in dreams,
I give it voice with full heart
to the trees.
And they understand me to the letter,
the leaves eavesdrop
and fall in at the right place,
with rustling.
And the sound and echo wander farther,
through the treetops, rocks, and bushes.
Miss Nightingale also blares away brightly
in the midst of it all.
Then, when the heart hears its own sound,
it feels it can do whatever it dares to,
oh what a lively pleasure, a song, a song
among the greenery.
~Translation © Joel Ayau
INTERMISSION
"Contemplations (21, 22)"
by Hilary Tann (b. 1946)
Under the cooling shadow of a stately Elm
Close sate I by a goodly River's side,
Where gliding streams the Rocks did overwhelm,
A lonely place, with pleasures dignifi'd.
I once that lov'd the shady woods so well,
Now thought the rivers did the trees excel,
And if the sun would ever shine,
there would I dwell.
Cantate Domino canticum novum, Cantate et exultate.
(Sing to the Lord a new song, Sing and rejoice)
While on the stealing stream I fixt mine eye,
Which to the long'd-for Ocean held its course,
I markt nor crooks, nor rubs that there did lie
Could hinder ought but still augment its force.
O happy Flood, quoth I, that holds thy race
Till thou arrive at thy beloved place,
Nor is it rocks or shoals that can obstruct thy pace.
Flumina plaudent manu A conspectu Domini.
Let the floods clap their hands Before the Lord.
~Anne Bradstreet, (ca. 1612 -1672)
"Nod"
by Florence Price (1887-1953)
Softly along the road of evening,
In a twilight dim with rose,
Wrinkled with age, and drenched with dew,
Old Nod, the shepherd, goes.
His drowsy flock streams on before him,
Their fleeces charged with gold,
To where the sun’s last beam leans low
On Nod the shepherd’s fold.
The hedge is quick and green with briar,
the cronies creep;
and all the birds that fly in heav’n
flock singing home to sleep.
His lambs outnumber a noon’s roses,
Yet, when night’s shadows fall,
His blind old sheep dog “Slumber Soon”,
Misses not one of all.
His are the quiet steps of dreamland,
The waters of no more pain,
His ram’s bell rings
‘neath an arch of stars,
“Rest, rest and rest again, rest”.
~Walter de la Mare
"Hechicera"
from "Tres Mitos de mi Tierra"
by Gabriela Lena Frank (b.1972)
What urges me to you?
It is because I recognize you,
I remember you,
I know you well, hechicera mia!
I swore I heard your siren’s call at the river
After idling a day chiding the Creator,
Asking him to relent
And she did a bird’s canto, (song)
A waterfall’s kashwa, (dance)
A young sapling’s marinera (dance)
To relieve me from my solitude.
But here you are in town far from the river,
Looking me up and down,
Knowing I’d confess all of my sins to you.
Your voice is a stolen birdsong,
And you clearly received your steps
From that waterfall,
From that graceful sapling.
No need to know when I arrived,
No need to know the road that brought
me here,
Nor the name of my town,
Nor the name of my parents,
Because my life only began
When I first laid eyes on you,
Because my life only began
When you were its sunrise.
May the sun never set!
A sprite from the river…
When you cry,
Your tears release the rains and the
Lands bloom.
When you walk in the dark,
You cast a miraculous shadow of sunlight,
The sun rushes to meet your waking
Gaze in the morning
And retreats, discouraged, when you
Lay down to sleep.
Above, the angels fight to be your
Protector,
And below,
You tempt the very Diablo
To honesty.
Ah! How you talk with the others
As if you have not seen me…
How you carelessly plait your hair,
Knowing my heart is caught
In the vise of your braids.
I can’t breathe!
How cruel can you be!
Look, I want people to talk.
I want them to say we meet often.
I want a marinera named after us,
A kashwa after our love,
A huayno after our first child,
A zapateo [Afro-Peruvian dances] when we leave your
parents’ home.
Not the triste nor the yaraví [melancholy songs].
No need to know when I arrived,
No need to know the road that brought
me here,
Nor the name of my town,
Nor the name of my parents,
Because my life only began
When I first laid eyes on you,
Because my life only began
When you were its sunrise.
May the sun never set!
What urges me to you?
It is because I recognize you,
I remember you,
I know you well!
My river sprite, my siren…
I want to confess all of my sins to you,
Knowing I would be perfect in
Your eyes.
~Text by Gabriela Lena Frank
"Naushon"
by Dorothy Crawford (b. 1938)
Along the liquid leash of islands
The slumbering bourdon laps the beach
Where sea breaks on the web of silence
Breathing like peaceful beasts in sleep.
By shallow shore stir lifting shrubs
Bay by the bay burns its perfume
Wind hovers in the vales it loves
Lingering in yellow locks of broom.
Contentment whispers in the waves
And combs the wander-weeded coast
Murmuring with languid lips of love
The vows the living cannot loose.
~Robert H. Pitney, copyright 1941 from Poems: 1939 -1941
"Descending"
by Joan Tower (b. 1938)
Soli: Adriana Repetto & Francesco Logozzo
Goodbye, oh,
We will miss you.
Farewell dear friend
We will miss you
Don’t go, ah, ay, no, no,
Oh farewell we will miss you,
Goodbye.
~Text by Joan Tower
"My Spirit Like a Charmed Bark"
by Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)
My spirit like a charmed bark doth float
Upon the liquid waves of thy sweet singing,
Far far away into the regions dim
Of rapture--as a boat, with swift sails winging
Its way adown some many-winding river...
~Percy Byshe Shelly
"He That Dwelleth"
by Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)
Soli: Frankie Campofelice, Adriana Repetto, Barbara Hill, Lisa Hadley, and Nathan Halbur
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in whom I trust.
For he shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his pinions, and under his wings shalt thou take refuge:
his truth is a shield and a buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
nor for the pestilence that walketh in dark-ness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;
but it shall not come near thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
For thou, O Lord, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the serpent
shalt thou trample under feet.
He hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him,
and show him my salvation.
~Psalm 91
"Leaving the Wealth of Her Family"
by Kassia/Amelia LeClair
Leaving the wealth of her family, and longing sincerely for Christ,
the martyr found heavenly glory and riches,
and totally shielded with the armour of faith,
and the weapon of the Cross, trampled the oppressor;
therefore angels amazed at her struggles, said:
"The enemy has fallen, defeated by a woman; the martyr, crowned, was lifted upward
and Christ reigns as God to all eternity,
who gives to the world His great mercy."
~Translation by Antonia Tripolitis
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