Holy Women
The past 30 days have been astounding. Each time I think, "well, that's the top!", along comes the next thing, o'ertopping the top. So, return with me to St. Bede's Chapel in Greenwich, CT, on November 6, about a month ago, and the performance of Holy Women, a cantata composed by Robert Sirota (music) and Rev. Victoria Sirota (words).
St. Bede's Chapel sits back from the road, on the grounds of what used to be a girl's prep school. Light filters in through exquisite stained glass windows depicting female saints: Sts. Walburga, Catherine of Siena, and Theresa of Avila, mystics all; Sts. Ursula, Barbara and Agnes, martyrs; and Anne and Elizabeth, mothers, and Mary, the Holy Mother). Holy Women was commissioned to honor these windows and the chapel. I am sure an evening of lovely, meditative sacred music was anticipated. And there was loveliness. But the cantata was much bigger that just that. The Sirotas served the saints well. Robert's music was glorious - lush and stark, flowing and jarring, joyous and heart-rending. He and Rev. Vicki, with her libretto, accomplished the difficult task of giving each saint a distinctive voice within the whole. Each had her story to tell, her solo, and in her telling, was supported by other voices as she revealed her history, her devotion, and her wildness. That's the thing about these saints, you know. They're wild. You really can't control holy women. Once you invite them to step down from the containment of the window and let them give voice to their stories, there's no telling what may come of it.
We were 9 singers (I sang Walburga), and 7 musicians (credits below). The photo is one of the two great walls of glass. This one depicts, from left to right, St. Barbara, St. Theresa, St. Agnes, St. Ursula, St. Walburga, and St.Elizabeth, with St. Mary and the infant Jesus above them, epitomising love. I wish I could find a bigger, crisper photo of the windows, as they are truly extraordinary, and the colors are very rich (but Mr. Google has failed me!). The singers were dressed to match their windows as closely as possible; in that, and in movement, we were guided by stage director Dona D. Vaughn, Artistic Director of Opera Programs at Manhattan School of Music. Her contribution helped us make the glass breathe.
There is some talk of recording the cantata, which I hope will happen soon. The music and lyrics are still ringing in my head, and I have a dream of having this work presented in many more venues. They want their stories told, and the saints are nothing if not pushy.
Holy Women, a Cantata with text by Victoria Sirota, and music by Robert Sirota
St. Theresa of Avila, Margaret Peterson
St. Walburga, Laurel Massé
St. Catherine of Siena, Michelle Ripella
St. Ursula, Katya Powder
St. Barbara, Abigail Fischer
St. Agnes, Lindsay RIder
St. Anne, Lisa Chavez
St. Elizabeth, Maeve Höglund
St. Mary, Rina Saporsantos
Flute, Christopher James (this name is going to turn up in another post soon)
Oboe, Lauren Blackerby
Bassoon, Kathryn Brooks
Guitar, Jordan Dodson
Organ, Victoria Sirota (a concert organist before she became a priest)
Violin, Nicholas Mann
Cello, David Geber