Our February 2017 program, a benefit for Sacred Threads, highlights the relationship between
women and spirituality, and in particular, the many paths women take to nourish and inspire
through personal faith. The Sacred may be found for some women in nature, and for others, in
organized religion. Some women look to family or friends as a source of the Divine, while others
may turn inward toward their own creativity for inspiration. The works presented this evening
capture the essence of each woman’s soul as she faces life’s challenges, bonds with her source of
power and strength, and celebrates the journey.
O Virtus Sapientiae - Hildegard von Bingen
Hildegard von Bingen was a writer, Christian mystic, philosopher, visionary, and composer. In
addition to her writings on theology and science, she is one of the most prolific and highly
respected medieval composers. Her music is often composed to her own poetic text, in
monophonic style (consisting of one melodic line). Because she was a woman, it was presumed
that her writings and visions came from unlearned inspiration, and therefore were considered
more believable as messages from the Divine. This permitted her to speak up with some
authority particularly in her opposition of institutional corruption.
O virtus Sapientiae,
quae circuiens circuisti
comprehendendo omnia
in una via, quae habet vitam,
tres alas habens,
quarum una in altum volat,
et altera de terra sudat,
et tertia undique volat.
Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet,
O Sapientia.
O strength of Wisdom
Who, circling, circled,
Enclosing all
In one life giving path,
Three wings you have:
One soars to the heights,
One distills its essence upon the earth,
And the third is everywhere.
Praise to you, as is fitting,
O Wisdom.
St. Ludmila - Antonín Dvořák
Princess Ludmila is a Czech historical figure from the late ninth century, at a time when great efforts were
made to spread Christianity. In the oratorio, the hermit Ivan has been sent to convert the Moravians. His
eloquence wins Ludmila over, and eventually she (and her husband) are baptised. The four movements
presented here, however, are from the beginning of the oratorio, when she and her people look to nature
as their sacred source, and to the goddess Bába, whose name means “woman ” a distinctive figure in
Slavic folklore, often associated with the forest and its wildlife.
Movement 6 (solo)
How wildly beats my heart within my breast.
The statue I must dedicate today,
The statue I must dedicate today,
which I have to the goddess Bába raised,
in witness of our country’s ancient faith.
O goddess, thou, that, stately and majestic,
art shining sunlike in thy golden pride,
O hear us call, where thou on high art seated,
and let not grace and aid to us thy servants be denied.
Defend from evil, guard us evermore,
give all thy blessing, bless our Fatherland.
Movement 7 (chorus)
Hear when we call, where thou on high are seated.
Grant to they servants present grace and aid,
O Goddess, grace and aid.
Guard us from evil, guard us evermore.
Bless this people, Bless our Fatherland.
Movement 8 (solo)
To long with childlike longing
to reach the glorious place
where dwell the gods immortal,
and see them face to face,
to learn how life is woven,
to mark its plan unfold,
to trace the mighty courses
of suns and stars untold,
to drink at wisdom’s fountain,
to know each tree and flower,
to clothe with wings my spirit
that she may sunward soar.
Though far we flee to hide us,
alone we cannot stay,
the gods are ever near us,
by night as well as day.
Movement 9 (chorus)
The gods are ever near,
in all our ways, they tend us;
by night as well as day
from evil they defend us.
Though in the darkness storms prevail,
still is their guidance ours;
Their help is always with us.
Our strength and shield they abide
I am the Rose of Sharon - William Billings and Ivo Antognini
The Song of Songs (or the Song of Solomon), the last section of the Hebrew Bible, is unique in that it
celebrates the love between a man and a woman. The intimacy of the text makes it a popular choice to set
to music. In this section, the woman describes a visit from her lover using pastoral imagery. Billings, who
is regarded as the first American choral composer (1746-1800) sets the text in a celebratory, vigorous
style that may have been influenced by Handel’s choruses. Antognini’s more contemporary setting is lush
and expressive, drawing parallels with music of Morten Lauridsen and Arvo Pärt.
I am the rose of Sharon
and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns,
so is my love among the daughters.
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
so is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house,
his banner over me was love.
Stay me with flagons,
comfort me with apples,
for I am sick of love.1
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
by the roses and by the hinds of the field,
that you stir not up, nor awake my love till he please.
The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he cometh, leaping upon a mountain,
skipping upon the hills.
My beloved spake, and said unto me:
Rise up, my love, my fair one,
and come away.
For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
Ballet de Mazeppa – Clémence de Grandval Clémence de Grandval was a French Romantic composer.
Because of her social position, she published many of her works (which included operas, chamber pieces,
and large choral works) under pseudonyms. She was actively involved in the Société Nationale de
Musique, received the Prix Rossini in 1881, and was admired by critics of her day. This is the third
movement “Danse ukrainienne” from her Ballet Mazeppa - opéra in cinq actes.
“Descend Kind Pity” from Theodora – G. F. Handel
Valens, Roman governor of Antioch, has issued a decree requiring all citizens to offer a sacrifice to
Venus, goddess of love, and Flora, the fertility goddess. Those (Christians) who do not obey will be put to
death. The Roman soldier Septimius, shows compassion for those condemned to die for their beliefs,
wishing he could extend mercy to them, in spite of his own loyalty to Roman law.
Descend, kind Pity, heav’nly guest,
descend and fill each human breast
with sympathizing woe!
That liberty and peace of mind
may sweetly harmonize mankind,
and bless the world below!
Biblical Songs, Nos. 2 and 6 – A. Dvořák
Dvořák decided not to use the traditional Latin text for the musical setting of these Psalms, but the timehonored Czech translation from his own copy of the Kralice Bible
II. Skrýše má a paveza má Ty jsi
II. You are my hiding place and my shield
Psalm 119, verse 114, 115, 117, 120
Skrýše má a paveza má Ty jsi,
Thou art my hiding place and my shield,
I await your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
so I may keep the commandments of God.
Strengthen me, so I may be saved
na slovo vzaté očekávám.
Odstuptež ode mne, nešlechetníci,
abych ostříhal přikázáni Boha svého.
1
Meaning“lovesick.”
Posiluj mne, bych zachován byl
a patřil ku stanoveným Tvým ustavičně.
Děsí se strachem před Tebou tělo mé,
nebo soudů Tvých bojím se náramně.
and do Thy will always.
VI. Slyš, o Bože, volání mé
VI. Hear, O God, my cry
Psalm 61, verse 2, 4, 5; psalm 63, verse 2, 5, 6
Slyš, o Bože, volání mé,
pozoruj modlitby mé!
Nebo jsi býval útočiště mé
a pevná věže před tváří nepřítele.
Budu bydleti v stánku Tvém na věky,
schráním se v skrýši křídel Tvých.
Bože! Bůh silný můj Ty jsi,
tebe hned v jitře hledám,
tebe žízní duše má,
po Toběouží tělo mé,
v zemi žíznivé a vyprahlé,
v níž není vody.
A tak, abych Tobě dobrořečil
a s radostným rtů prozpěvováním
chválila by Tě ústa má.
Hear, O God, my cry,
give ear to my prayer!
For Thou have been my refuge,
a strong tower from the enemy.
I will dwell in Thy tabernacle forever.
I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.
O God! Thou art my mighty God,
I seek Thee at each dawn.
My soul thirsts for Thee
after Thee my flesh longs,
in a dry and thirsty land,
where there is no water.
And so I bless thee
with joyful lips singing
my mouth praises Thee.
My flesh trembles for fear of Thee,
of Thy judgments I fear greatly.
Dona Nobis Pacem (traditional) – Arr. Calliope
Dona nobis pacem.
Give us peace.
Leaf to Leaf – Adria Stolk
Text was drawn from the poems of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) below:
Be still, my heart,
These great trees are prayers.
(pub. in Stray Birds, 1916)
Light, my light, the world-filling light,
the eye-kissing light,
heart-sweetening light!
Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the center of my life;
the light strikes the chords of my love;
the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter passes over the earth.
The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light.
Lilies and jasmine surge up on the crest of the waves of light.
The light is shattered into gold on every cloud,
and it scatters gems in profusion.
Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf,
And gladness without measure.
The heaven’s river has drowned its banks
and the flood of joy is abroad.
(pub. in Gitanjali [Song Offerings], 1913)
Wanting Memories – Ysaye M. Barnwell
I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty of the world through my own eyes.
You used to rock me in the cradle of your arms,
You said you’d hold me till the pains of life were gone.
You said you’d comfort me in times like these,
And now I need you, and you are gone.
So I am I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty of the world through my own eyes.
Since you’ve gone and left me, there’s been so little beauty,
But I know I saw it clearly through your eyes.
Now the world outside is such a cold and bitter place,
Here inside I have few things that will console,
And when I try to hear your voice above the storms of life
Then I remember what I was told.
Yes I am I am sitting here wanting memories ....
I think on the things that made me feel so wonderful when I was young,
I think on the things that made me laugh, made me dance, made me sing,
I think on the things that made be grow into a being full of pride;
Think on these things, for they are truth.
And I am sitting here wanting memories ....
I thought that you were gone, but now I know you’re with me;
You are the voice that whispers all I need to hear,
I know a ‘please,’ a ‘thank-you,’ and a smile will take me far.
I know that I am you and you are me and we are one,
I know that who I am is numbered in each grain of sand,
I know that I’ve been blessed again and over again..
Yes I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty of the world through my own eyes.
The Prayer with Lead Us, Lord – Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster
The Prayer has been made most famous by Andrea Bocelli. The song was specifically selected by Marie
LaBollita for tonight’s performance.
We pray You’ll be our eyes, and watch us where we go,
And teach us to be wise in times when we don’t know.
Let this be our prayer when we lose our way.
Lead us to a place, guide us with Your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe.
Let this be our prayer when shadows fill our day.
Lead us to a place, guide us with Your grace.
Give us faith so we’ll be safe.
Lead us, Lord, lead us in Your righteousness;
Make Your way plain for us to see.
We pray we’ll find Your light, and hold it in our hearts
As darkness falls each night, remind us where You are.
Let this be our prayer,
just like ev’ry child needs to find a place,
guide us with Your grace.
Giv us faith so we’ll be safe.
Lead us to a place, guide us with Your grace,
To a place where we’ll be safe.
Lead us, Lord.
Rigaudon – Cécile Chaminade
Chaminade was a French composer and pianist. Although her father disapproved of her music education,
Cécile did not receive formal training in her early years; however, at the age of eight years old, she played
some of her compositions for composer Georges Bizet, who was very impressed by her talent. She
became popular as a young adult in England and in Paris, composing mostly salon songs and character
pieces for piano. This is an orchestration of the sixth movement of Chaminade’s Op. 55, 6 Pièces
romatiques for four-hand piano.
A Mother’s Son – Travis Reynolds
This composer says of this contemporary work, “The text deals with both the sons and with God, two
things that are a constant presence in the author’s life. The chorale in the winds references...the
relationship to God...and is [therefore] high above the voice. The pulse on C-sharp is the most direct
representation of constancy, and can be thought of as the relationship with the son...The only time the Csharp presence disappears...is when the focus is no longer on the son, but on God and the individual.”
A son is a wonderful blessing, treasure.
There’s a special charm, thoughtfulness, warmth and joy.
He fills your heart with pride and brings a smile to you each day.
A son grows from a boy to a man.
Through these stages your love for him grows stronger
And memories even warmer.
The sons become your right hand, your rock,
Your strong support and reason for living.
No words can describe the warmth, pride,
And gratitude that comes from a son.
Closeness in the young years is not always recognized
But it forms early in life.
As a mother and son, that bond is a special one
And remains unchanged.
A mother’s love will always be for her sons
And always present in her heart.
God bless the most important men
In my life.
From The Diary of a Young Girl
[June 14, 1942, Anne writing to her diary, named Kitty. The diary was a gift she received from her father
on her 13th birthday, June 12, 1942. She maintained her writing throughout most of the two-year period
of hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The family was discovered and taken to BergenBelsen in 1944. Anne died of typhus while in the concentration camp.]
I hope that I shall be able to confide in you completely, as I have never been able to do in anyone before,
and I hope that you will be a great support and comfort to me.
[July 15, 1944]
It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to
carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at
heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see
the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever-approachinmg Thunder, which will
destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it
will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.
In the meantime, I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry
them out.
“Kyrie” from Annelies – James Whitbourn
“Kyrie” is an excerpt from the cantata Annelies, based on Anne Frank’s diary.
Kyrie eleison. [Lord have mercy.]
Help us!
Rescue us from this hell!
We must be brave and trust in God.
You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel) with Climb Ev’ry Mountain (Sound of Music) – Rodgers and
Hammerstein
These two familiar and popular songs summarize and embody the spirit of this evening’s performance,
and are Calliope’s musical interpretation of Sacred Threads‘ message and mission.
When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high,
And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain,
Tho‘ your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you’ll never walk alone!
Climb ev’ry mountain, search high and low.
Follow ev’ry byway, ev’ry path you know.
Climb ev’ry mountain, ford ev’ry stream.
Follow ev’ry rainbow, till you find your dream.
A dream that will need all the love you can give,
Ev’ry day of your life for as long as you live.
Climb ev’ry mountain, ford ev’ry stream.
Follow ev’ry rainbow,
Till you find your dream.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone.
You’ll never walk alone!