Sat 10/21 @ 7PM
Sun 10/22 @ 4PM
American composer and choral conductor Craig Hella Johnson’s first concert-length work, a “fusion oratorio” called Considering Matthew Shepard, debuted in 2016 and was recorded (and nominated for a Grammy) by the vocal group he founded and leads, Conspirare.
Most aware (“woke”) people are familiar with the story of Matthew Shepard, the Wyoming college student who was tortured and left to die by a pair of homophobic men who gave him a ride. In Considering Matthew Shepard, Johnson deploys a variety of musical styles and draws on Shepard’s journals, interviews with his parents, and texts from Rumi and Hildegard of Bingen to tell the story of the tragedy of bigotry.
Professional vocal ensemble the Cleveland Chamber Choir will open their ninth season with two performances of Considering Matthew Shepard led by the group’s newly appointed artistic director Gregory Ristow. They’ll be joined by the Lakewood Symphonic Mixed Choir directed by Rayna Brooks.
“Matthew Shepard’s story touched so many of us, and remains shockingly timely even as we approach the 25th anniversary of his death,” say Ristow. “Johnson’s remarkable telling of it invites us all to a place of compassion and understanding that is only heightened by his music.”
The performances take place at Avon Lake United Church of Christ on Saturday October 21 and at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland on Sunday October 22. The concerts are free; a portion of donations will go to QYou program, which serves youth at the LGBT Center of Cleveland. There will be a pre-concert talk 45 minutes before the performances.