Conspirare Christmas 2020 Concert Program

Premiering December 7, 2020 at 7:30pm Central Streaming through January 6, 2021 Conspirare Craig Hella Johnson, Artistic Director With Guest Artists Joyce DiDonato Frederica von Stade Patty Griffin Carrie Rodriguez Members of the Dallas Street Choir (Jonathan Palant, conductor) African Children’s Choir Conspirare Symphonic Choir

Thomas Burritt Percussion Mitch Watkins Guitar Season Underwriter

Presenting Sponsor

This performance is made possible in part by generous support from

In-Home Concert Sponsors

Sustainers

Conspirare Christmas 2020 With gratitude and love, we dedicate these musical offerings to all the frontline workers and their daily dedication and courage in sustaining our community through these challenging times.

I. NIGHT Lost in the Night/Veni Emmanuel Õhtul Looking for the Dove I was Sleeping How Can I Keep from Singing

Nordic hymn; tr. Olav Lee / Anonymous Pärt Uusberg Peter Mayer Adi al-Riga Robert Lowry, arr. Adam and Matt Podd

II. GATHER: SHARING OUR STORIES AND SONGS For the Mountains Shall Depart Felix Mendelssohn The Little Road to Bethlehem Margaret Rose Evening Prayer (When at Night I Go To Sleep) Engelbert Humperdinck from Hänsel & Gretel"

All Creatures of Our God and King Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones Reflections on Hope Tomorrow Joy to the World

Traditional Healey Willan Members of the Dallas Street Choir Charles Strouse, arr. Craig Hella Johnson G. F. Handel arr. arr. Mervyn Warren

III. COME LOVE, CAROLING O Come, All Ye Faithful Hark the Herald Angels Sing La Primera Navidad Los Peces en el Rio O Tannenbaum Image de Noël, No. 2 from Trois Chants de Noël Peace, Peace Silent Night

John Francis Wade Charles Wesley Traditional Traditional Melchior Franck arr. Jim Clements Frank Martin Rick and Sylvia Powell Franz X. Gruber

IV. THE LONGEST NIGHT The Longest Night All Through the Night We Clasp the Hands I Could Have Danced All Night

Peter Mayer Trad., arr. Andrew Emmet Craig Hella Johnson Frederick Lowe, arr. Craig Hella Johnson

2

Text & Translations I. NIGHT Lost in the Night Lost in the night do the people yet languish, longing for morning the darkness to vanquish, plaintively sighing with hearts full of anguish.

Will not day come soon? Will not day come soon?

Veni Emmanuel Veni veni, Emmanuel captivum solve Israel, qui gemit in exsilio, privatus Dei Filio.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that morns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, nascetur pro te Israel!

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, to thee shall come Emmanuel!

Must we be vainly awaiting the morrow?

Shall those who have light no light let us borrow, giving no heed to our burden of sorrow?

Will you help us soon? Will you help us soon?

- Nordic hymn; translation by Olav Lee Veni, veni O Oriens, solare nos adveniens, noctis depelle nebulas, dirasque mortis tenebras.

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadow put to flight.

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, nascetur pro te Israel!

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, to thee shall come Emmanuel!

Veni, veni, Adonai, qui populo in Sinai legem dedisti vertice in maiestate gloriae.

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times did give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, nascetur pro te Israel!

- Anonymous

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, to thee shall come Emmanuel!

3

Õhtul Vaikib linnukene ühes tuulega uinub lillekene kaste kaisussa

The little bird grows silent as the wind blows.

The small flower falls asleep caressed by the dew.

Eha punastades ööle annab suud mälestus ja vaikus, uinund metsapuud

Twilight blushes as she kisses the night.

The forest trees sleep in memory and silence.

Igatsedes ainult minu lauluke nagu mälestus, kui vaikus sõuab kaugele.

--Ernst Enno, translation Katie Kring

They are wistful for my song, now a silent memory, as it paddles far away.

Looking for the Dove I remember she was here It seemed to be her place to rest Until a flood of blood and tears Washed away her nest Was it when we felt afraid?

Or when we became us and them?

Or when the plans of war were laid?

Can you tell me, was it then That the bird of peace escaped our hands To find an olive branch Of kindness and of love Flew away, leaving us to stand Scanning the horizon And the dreary skies above Looking for the dove I’ve seen hawks and I’ve seen crows And I’ve heard their angry cries I’ve seen buzzards flying low But haven’t heard her lullaby But we were foolish to believe She’d be an easy bird to keep We gave her a nest, a bed to rest But didn’t know that even though she dreams The dove of peace can never sleep

4

So the bird of peace escaped our hands To find an olive branch Of kindness and of love Flew away, leaving us to stand Scanning the horizon And the dreary skies above Looking for the dove Come back to us Come back to us Sweet Dove - Peter Mayer And the songbirds keep singing like they know the score.

And I love you, I love you, I love you . . . like never before.

I was Sleeping I was sleeping, and being comforted by a cool breeze, when suddenly a gray dove from a thicket sang and sobbed with longing, and reminded me of my own passion.

I had been away from my own soul so long, so late-sleeping, but that dove’s crying woke me and made me cry. Praise to all early-waking grievers!

- Adi al-Riga You can’t tell the children there is no hope.

- James Baldwin

How Can I Keep from Singing?

My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation I hear the real, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation, No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock, I’m clinging Since love prevails in heaven and earth How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth And though the darkness round me close songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock, I’m clinging Since love prevails in heaven and earth How can I keep from singing?

5

I lift my eyes, the cold grows thin; I see the blue above it.

And day by day, this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it.

No storm can shake my inmost calm, I hear the music ringing It sounds an echo in my soul, How can I keep from singing?

How can I keep from singing. . .?

Keep singing.

- Traditional II. GATHER: SHARING OUR STORIES AND SONGS For the Mountains Shall Depart For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but Thy kindness shall not depart from me; neither shall the covenant of Thy peace be removed.

- Isaiah 54:10 The Little Road to Bethlehem As I walked down the road at set of sun The lambs were coming homeward one by one I heard a sheepbell softly calling them Along the little road to Bethlehem Beside an open door as I drew nigh I heard sweet Mary sing a lullaby She sang about the lambs at close of day And rocked her tiny King among the hay Across the air the silver sheepbells rang "The lambs are coming home," sweet Mary sang "Your star of gold, your star of Gold is shining in the sky.

So sleep, my little King, go lullaby."

As I walked down the road at set of sun The lambs were coming homewards one by one I heard a sheepbell softly calling them Along the little road to Bethlehem - Margaret Rose

6

Evening Prayer (When at Night I Go To Sleep) from "Hänsel and Gretel" When at night I go to sleep Fourteen angels watch do keep Two my head are guarding Two my feet are guiding Two are on my right hand Two are on my left hand Two who warmly cover Two who o’er me hover Two to whom ’tis given To guide my steps to heaven - Adelheid Wette, based on the Brothers Grimm' fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel".

All Creatures of Our God and King All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear, Make music for thy Lord to hear, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright, That givest man both warmth and light Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

- St. Francis of Assisi

7

Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones Ye watchers and ye holy ones, Bright Seraphs, Cherubim and Thrones, Raise the glad strain-Alleluya!

Cry out Dominions, Princedoms, Powers, Virtues, Archangels, Angels' choirs, Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya!

- Athelstan Riley Tomorrow The sun'll come out /Tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar / That tomorrow There'll be sun!

Just thinkin' about / Tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs And the sorrow / 'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck with a day That's grey / And lonely I just stick out my chin And grin / And say / Oh! The sun'll come out / Tomorrow So ya gotta hang on / 'Til tomorrow Come what may Tomorrow, tomorrow!

I love ya tomorrow!

You're only / A day / Away!

The sun'll come out. . .

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow!

You're always / A day / Away!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow!

You're only / A day / Away!

- Martin Charnin

8

Joy to the World Joy to the world the Lord is come Let earth receive her king Let every heart prepare him room And heaven, and heaven, heaven and nature Heaven and nature sing Everybody sing joy to the world For the Lord, the Lord is come Let earth receive her king Let every heart prepare him room And Heaven and nature sing, heaven and nature sing Go tell it, go tell it his glory Shout out the story That the savior is born Let heaven, heaven, heaven and nature sing Everybody sing joy to the world For the Lord, the Lord is come Let earth receive her king Let fields and flocks Rocks hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy,repeat the sounding joy Go tell it his glory Shout out the story Heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven and nature sing Sing joy to the world For the savior reigns And makes his blessings flow Joyful all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic hosts proclaim Glory to the king While the angels sing Everybody sing joy to the world The Lord is come Let earth receive her king Let every heart prepare him room Go tell it, go tell it his glory Shout out the story That the savior is born

9

Heaven, heaven, heaven and nature sing Sing joy to the world. . .

Sing joy, everybody sing Joy to the world Everybody sing joy to the world Sing joy to the world Sing joy, joy, joy, peace, love, joy Sing joy to the world - Isaac Watts III. COME LOVE, CAROLING O Come, All Ye Faithful O come, all ye faithful, / Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him, / Born the King of Angels!

O come, let us adore Him; / O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; / Christ the Lord!

- John Francis Wade; Translator: Frederick Oakeley (1841; alt) Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, / "Glory to the new-born King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, / God and sinners reconciled."

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, / Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, / "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Hark! the herald angels sing, / "Glory to the new-born King!

- Traditional La Primera Navidad (The First Noel) La primera Navidad un coro se oyó, a humildes pastores el cielo cantó, y un ángel les habló rodeado de luz, anunciando la Natividad de Jesús.

The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay tending their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel.

Hoy ha nacido el Rey de Israel.

- Traditional

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel.

10

Los Peces en el Rio La Virgen se está peinando Entre cortina y cortina Los cabellos son de oro Y el peine de plata fina.

The Virgin is combing her hair between curtain and curtain.

Her hair is made of gold and the comb of fine silver.

Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios nacido Beben y beben y vuelven a beber Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer.

But look how the fish drink in the river, but look how they drink to see God being born.

They drink, they drink and then they drink again, the fish in the river, to see God being born.

La Virgen está lavando y tendiendo en el romero.

Los angelitos cantando y el romero floreciendo.

The Virgin is washing and hanging clothes to dry in the rosemary: the birds singing and the rosemary flowering.

Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios nacido Beben y beben y vuelven a beber Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer.

But look how the fish drink in the river, but look how they drink to see God being born.

They drink, they drink and then they drink again, the fish in the river, to see God being born.

La Virgen está lavando Con un poco de jabón Se le picaron las manos Manos de mi corazón

The Virgin is washing laundry With a little soap.

Her hands were itching, Hands of my heart.

Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios nacido Beben y beben y vuelven a beber Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer.

- Tradicional

But look how the fish drink in the river, but look how they drink to see God being born.

They drink, they drink and then they drink again, the fish in the river, to see God being born.

- Compiled from Enforex and MamaLisa

11

O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, du verkörperst unsern Weinachtstraum!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree You embody our Christmas dream!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!

Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree How lovely are your branches!

You’re green not only in summertime, But also in winter, when it snows.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, What happiness befalls me!

How often at Christmas-time A branch from you gives such delight!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, What happiness befalls me!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!

Dein Kleid will mich was lehren: Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!

Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren - Ernst Anschütz

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Your visage wants to teach us: Your hope and permanence Give comfort and strength at all times.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Your visage wants to teach us.

Image de Noël, No. 2 from Trois Chants de Noël L'enfant Jesus des images Le beau bébé rose et blanc The baby from the pictures Tend ses deux poings vers les mages is small and pink Ou vers un berger tremblant and reaches his hands Le boeuf sans cérémonie to the poor shepherd.

Rumine en grondant un peu The cow chews his hay and Mary Et la Vierge en manteau bleu Sourit à la compagnie smiles at the company!

- Albert Rudhardt Peace, Peace Peace, peace, Peace on Earth And goodwill to all This is a time for joy This is a time for peace Now let us all sing together Of peace, peace, Peace on Earth - Rick and Sylvia Powell 12

Silent Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, Love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming Grace.

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

- Traditional IV. THE LONGEST NIGHT The Longest Night Light a candle, sing a song Say that the shadows shall not cross Make an oblation out of all you've lost In the longest night Gather friends and cast your hopes Into the fire as it snows And stare at God through the dark windows Of the longest night Of the year Refrain: A night that seems like a lifetime If you're waiting for the sun So why not sing to the nighttime And the burning stars up above?

Come with drums, bells and horns Or come in silence, come forlorn Come like a miner to the door Of the longest night For deep in the silence, deep in the cold Deep in the darkness, a miner knows That there is a diamond in the soul Of the longest night Of the year 13

Refrain Maybe peace hides in a storm Maybe winter's heart is warm And maybe light itself is born In the longest night In the longest night - Peter Mayer All Through the Night Sleep my child and peace attend thee, / All through the night Guardian angels God will send thee, / All through the night Soft the drowsy hours are creeping / Hill and vale in slumber sleeping, I my loving vigil keeping / All through the night.

Love, to thee my thoughts are turning / All through the night All for thee my heart is yearning, / All through the night.

Though sad fate our lives may sever / Parting will not last forever, There's a hope that leaves me never, / All through the night.

- Traditional Welsh Air We Clasp the Hands We clasp the hands of those that go before us, and the hands of those who come after us.

We enter the little circle of each other's arms and the larger circle of lovers, whose hands are joined in a dance, and the larger circle of all creatures, who move also in a dance… to a music so subtle and vast that no ear hears it Except in fragments…

- Wendell Berry I Could Have Danced All Night On Christmas night we hear the angels singing…

I could have danced all night…

And still have begged for more Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…

I could have spread my wings and done a thousand things I’ve never done before Gloria…

I’ll never know what made it so exciting Why all at once my heart took flight I only know when he began to dance with me I could have danced, danced, danced All night.

- Alan Jay Lerner 14

Guest Artists Joyce DiDonato Multi Grammy Award winner and 2018 Olivier Award winner for Outstanding Achievement in Opera, Kansas-born Joyce DiDonato entrances audiences across the globe, and has been proclaimed “perhaps the most potent female singer of her generation” by the New Yorker. With a voice “nothing less than 24-carat gold” according to the Times, Joyce has soared to the top of the industry both as a performer and a fierce advocate for the arts, gaining international prominence in operas by Handel and Mozart, as well as through her wide-ranging, acclaimed discography. She is also widely acclaimed for the bel canto roles of Rossini and Donizetti.

Frederica von Stade Frederica von Stade Described by the New York Times as “one of America’s finest artists and singers,” Frederica von Stade continues to be extolled as one of the music world’s most beloved figures. Known to family, friends, and fans by her nickname “Flicka,” the mezzo-soprano has enriched the world of classical music for four and a half decades.

Though she retired from full-time performances in 2010, she continues to make appearances across the United States. The 2018-19 season opens with the world premiere of Lembit Beecher’s Sky on Swings at Opera Philadelphia. Also during the fall, she will perform alongside Susan Graham and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s for the DiMenna Center Benefit in New York City. March marks a return to the San Diego Opera as she portrays Madeline in Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers, a role she created a decade ago. In 2017, Ms. von Stade opened the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s season with a tribute to Leonard Bernstein conducted by Andris Nelsons.

Much in demand on the concert and recital circuit she has recently held residencies at Carnegie Hall and at London’s Barbican Centre, toured extensively in the United States, South America, Europe and Asia and appeared as guest soloist at the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms. Recent concert highlights include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Ricardo Muti, the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique under Sir John Eliot Gardiner, the Philadelphia Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and the Accademia Santa Cecilia Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra USA under Sir Antonio Pappano.

Ms. von Stade has appeared with every leading American opera company, including San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Los Angeles Opera. Her career in Europe has been no less spectacular, with new productions mounted for her at Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera Covent Garden, the Vienna State Opera, and the Paris Opera. She is invited regularly by the finest conductors, among them Kurt Masur, Riccardo Muti, Seiji Ozawa, André Previn, Leonard Slatkin, and Michael Tilson Thomas, to appear in concert with the world’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra, Washington’s National Symphony, and the Orchestra of La Scala.

In opera, Joyce’s recent roles include Didon Les Troyens at the Vienna State Opera; Sesto, Cendrillon and Adalgisa Norma at the Metropolitan Opera, Agrippina in concert with Il Pomo d’Oro under Maxim Emelyanchev; Sister Helen Dead Man Walking at the Teatro Real Madrid and London’s Barbican Centre; Semiramide at the Bavarian State Opera and Royal Opera House, and Charlotte Werther at the Royal Opera.

Joyce DiDonato appears courtesy of Erato/Warner Classics

15

Patty Griffin Patty Griffin is among the most consequential singer-songwriters of her generation, a quintessentially American artist whose wide-ranging canon incisively explores the intimate moments and universal emotions that bind us together.

Over the course of two decades, the 2x GRAMMY® Award winner – and 7x nominee – has crafted a remarkable body of work that prompted the New York Times to hail her for “[writing] cameo-carved songs that create complete emotional portraits of specific people…[her] songs have independent lives that continue in your head when the music ends.”

Company at the end of February of 2020 with 10 consecutive sellout performances, follows the true story and journey of Tony Valdovinos, born in Colima, Mexico and brought to the U.S. when he was two years old. The musical casts a profoundly human light on what it means to be a DREAMer. An album of 9 selections from the musical (aptly titled ¡Americano! The Musical) was released in January ‘20. Produced by the musical’s arranger Sergio Mendoza, the album features his band Orkesta Mendoza, Carrie on vocals and strings, and guest vocalists Joey Burns (Calexico), Brian Lopez, and Carlos Arzate.

2019 brought Griffin’s first-ever eponymous LP, PATTY GRIFFIN which made a top 5 debut on Billboard’s “Independent Albums” chart amidst unprecedented worldwide acclaim – and later, a prestigious GRAMMY® Award for “Best Folk Album,” As always, Griffin’s power lies in how, as writer Holly Gleason observed , “her songs seem to freeze life and truth in amber.”

Having crafted a rich catalog that chronicles love and death, heartache and joy, connection and detachment, Patty Griffin continues to push her art forward, as always imbuing every effort with compassion and craft, uncanny perception, and everincreasing ingenuity.

Dallas Street Choir The Dallas Street Choir was established in October 2014 and is conducted by its founder, Dr. Jonathan Palant. Its mission is to provide a musical outlet for those affected by homelessness. To date, over 2,000 individuals have attended at least one rehearsal and singers have collectively amassed more than 15,000 hours of cultural enrichment. The Dallas Street Choir has performed at Dallas' Winspear Opera House, the Moody Performance Hall, the George W. Bush Presidential Library, and at schools and places of worship throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region. In 2017, the choir made history when it performed at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall alongside classical music stars Frederica von Stade, Harolyn Blackwell, Jake Heggie, and Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz. In 2018, the Dallas Street Choir was invited to perform at the Texas Choral Directors statewide conference, and in March 2019, traveled to Kansas City to sing at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention. This collaboration marks its first with Conspirare.

Carrie Rodriguez Carrie Rodriguez, a singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, finds beauty in the crosspollination of diverse traditions. A passionate performer, she effortlessly melds fiery fiddle playing, electrifying vocals and a fresh interpretation of new and classic songs with an “Ameri-Chicana” attitude. Her newest project found her switching roles from performer to composer/lyricist of an original musical. ¡Americano!, which ended its 27-show debut at The Phoenix Theatre

16

African Children’s Choir The African Children’s Choir is composed of African children, aged 7 to 10 years old. The children in the Choir represent the potential of the thousands of children in Africa who are trapped in the cycle of poverty. The children melt the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles and delightful African tunes.

Nearly every performance is concluded with a thunderous standing ovation. A marvelous by-product of the concert is the inspiration the music brings to virtually every listener.

In spite of the tragedy that has marred their young lives, the children are radiant with hope, musically gifted and wonderfully entertaining.

Conspirare Christmas 2020 Singers and Instrumentalists Photos and bios available on the Conspirare Christmas Event Page.

Craig Hella Johnson, Conductor, Pianist, and Artistic Director TENOR Cole Blume – Salem, OR Zach Finkelstein – Seattle, WA Carr Hornbuckle – San Antonio, TX Michael Jones – Peoria, IL David Kurtenbach Rivera – San Francisco, CA Wilson Nichols – New York, NY Jason Vest – Cincinnati, OH

SOPRANO Mela Sarajane Dailey – Austin, TX Estelí Gomez – Appleton, WI Julie Keim – Washington, DC Gitanjali Mathur – Austin, TX Kathlene Ritch – Santa Fe, NM Sonja DuToit Tengblad – East Boston, MA Shari Alise Wilson – Austin, TX ALTO Ana Baida – Atlanta, GA Sarah Brauer – Portland, OR Lauren McAllister – Cincinnati, OH Laura Mercado-Wright – Austin, TX Elizabeth Petillot – Bordeaux, France Keely J Rhodes – Aiken, SC

BASS Drayton Eggleson – Sycamore, IL Simon Barrad – San Francisco, CA Cameron Beauchamp – San Antonio, TX Rick Gabrillo – Round Rock, TX Robert Harlan – Austin, TX Tim O’Brien – Austin, TX John Proft – Austin, TX Evan Blaché – Austin, TX

INSTRUMENTALISTS Thomas Burritt, percussion – Leander, TX Mitch Watkins, guitar – Austin, TX Austin Haller, piano – Austin, TX Rehearsal tracks and as noted below.

17

CONCERT PRODUCTION Conspirare singers captured their audio and video captured in their own homes.

Additional video capture by The Recording Conservatory of Austin.

Creative Direction and Video Directors Robert Harlan and John Stinson Audio Mixing & Mastering The Recording Conservatory of Texas TRCOA Filming Crew on-site at the Long Center for the Performing Arts: Carlos Cuevas Chandler Evans Alek Hand Ben Kleiver John Stinson Long Center Staff and Crew: Bon Davis Jessica Dunbar Omar Heras Ken Huncovsky Pablo Granado Jay Gossett Jim Larkin Catriona Long Hal Siegel Rachel Watkins

Conspirare Crew: Robert Harlan Viera Buzgova Kendall Walshak Licensing: Jaime Leighton Video Watermark: Brink Creative Event Graphics: Hornaday Design

Produced by: Craig Hella Johnson, Robert Harlan and Ann McNair

18

PERFORMING NOTE: Conspirare has the privilege of performing in a variety of beautiful venues that best enhance choral performances. While our performing venues and the text of some of our repertoire may be representative of specific traditions, it is in no way intended to exclude any individual whose experience or set of beliefs is not represented. Conspirare respects and celebrates the great diversity of religious, artistic, and human experiences represented among our singers and audience members. The audience creates the space in which the music is held.

With special thanks to: Julia Tracy, Imogen Taylor, Carolyn Rosenfeld, Long Center: Cory Baker, Rachel Watkins, Catriona Long, Anya Backlund, Easy Song Licensing, Jonathan Palant, Philip Overbaugh, Conspirare Ambassadors, Aaron Zimmerman, Christopher Novosad, Kimberly Stephenson, Philip Overbaugh Music Credits / Soloists / Video Production (in concert order) Lost in the Night/Veni Emmanuel Nordic hymn; tr. Olav Lee / Traditional Sonja Du Toit Tengblad, soprano Õhtul Pärt Uusberg & Ernst Enno Copyright Walton Music Looking for the Dove Peter Mayer “Looking for the Dove” written by Peter Mayer, copyright 2005. ASCAP. www.petermayer.net Craig Hella Johnson, tenor I was Sleeping Adi al-Riga Frederica von Stade, Reader How Can I Keep from Singing, Robert Lowry, arr. Adam Podd and Matt Podd Austin Haller, piano © Podd Brothers Music used with permission from Adam and Matt Podd For the Mountains Shall Depart, Felix Mendelssohn Simon Barrad, bass The Little Road to Bethlehem, Margaret Rose and Michael Head Sarah Brauer, alto Copyright Boosey & Hawkes Inc.

19

Evening Prayer (When at Night I Go To Sleep) from Hänsel & Gretel" , Engelbert Humperdinck Josie Margaret Zeigler, Soprano Dawn Harms, violin Frederica von Stade, mezzo soprano Emil Miland, cello Donna Stoering, piano Film engineer and director: Alrik Bursell, website: FIRST GRADE FILMS.COM Editor: Isaac Pingree From Ms. von Stade: I am so grateful to these special Christmas Angels for their talents and generosity.

We are so grateful to Jerome Lenk for opening his heart and doors to the great Mission Dolores Basilica San Francisco.

All Creatures of our God and King, Traditional Patty Griffin - Vocals David Pulkingham - Guitar Roy Taylor - Audio Engineer Katrina Lucas - Production Manager Carolyn Rosenfeld - Thirty Tigers Management

Performed at - The Continental Club, Austin TX Steve Wertheimer Filmed by: Omega Broadcast & Cinema Director: Jonathan Barraza Camera Ops: Jason Harter, Christopher Morse

Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, Healey Willan Kendall Walshak (additional vocals) Copyright C.F. Peters

Austin Haller Austin, TX (piano)

Reflections on Hope, Members of the Dallas Street Choir, Jonathan Palant, Conductor Montage Video Production: Ellen Culver Tomorrow, Martin Charmin and Charles Strouse, arr. Craig Hella Johnson Kathlene Ritch, soprano Copyright Charles Strouse Publishing and Edwin H Morris and Co. Joy to the World, G. F. Handel arr. arr. Mervyn Warren Nicole Joseph, soprano African Children’s Choir Archival Footage from Conspirare Christmas 2019 at the Tobin Center (San Antonio) Audio: Nomad Sound Video: The Recording Conservatory of Austin © Copyright 1996 Buena Vista Music Company (BMI).

Carol Sing-along O Come all Ye Faithful, John Francis Wade; Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Charles Wesley; and La Primera Navidad, Traditional Members of the African Children’s Choir, Dallas Street Choir, Conspirare (Indicated by *) and Conspirare Symphonic Choir Diana Mikkelson Jack Liefer Melissa HuebschLara Alami* Mim Luetje Stroud Louise Avant Stromme John Spence Charlotte Shivers Mary Beth Bennett Agatha Torku Kendall Walshak Jim Maxwell Johnson & Melissa Eddy Andrea Pobanz her children Ingram Emily Hardey Steve Reedy and Alice Eva Hawker Kathy Leighton Christy Henry Video: Steve Peterson

20

Los Peces en el Rio, Traditional Carrie Rodriguez, vocals & violin Luke Jacobs, acoustic guitar Video production: Luke Jacobs, Perfecto Creative O Tannenbaum, Melchior Franck arr. Jim Clements Wilson Nichols, tenor Copyright C.F. Peters Image de Noël, No. 2 from Trois Chants de Noël, Frank Martin Josie Margaret Zeigler, Soprano Frederica von Stade, mezzo soprano Donna Stoering, piano Dawn Harms, violin Emil Miland, cello Film engineer and director: Alrik Bursell, website: FIRST GRADE FILMS.COM Editor: Isaac Pingree Peace, Peace, Rick and Sylvia Powell Joyce DiDonato The Longest Night Peter Mayer Craig Hella Johnson, tenor “The Longest Night” written by Peter Mayer, copyright 2005. ASCAP. www.petermayer.net All Through the Night Trad., arr. Andrew Emmet We Clasp the Hands, Craig Hella Johnson Drayton Eggleson, bass Gitanjali Mathur, soprano Carr Hornbuckle, tenor Text Copyright © 2010 by Wendell Berry from What are People For?, Counterpoint Press Music © Booker Music I Could Have Danced All Night, Frederick Lowe, arr. Craig Hella Johnson Kathlene Ritch, soprano Copyright Chappell and Co. Additional piano improvisations by Craig Hella Johnson

21

Conspirare Staff Craig Hella Johnson, Artistic Director Ann McNair, Managing Director Ellen Culver, Digital Content Coordinator Scott Dinger, Development Specialist Lucas Edwards, Marketing Intern Rick Gabrillo, Associate Conductor Robert Harlan, Technical Director and Stage Manager Briona Jenkins, Marketing Specialist

Meri Krueger, Artist Relations Jaime Leighton, Production Administrator and Webmaster Kathy Leighton, House Manager Ali Lewis, Conspirare Concierge Jane Ramirez, Business Manager Natalie Seeboth, Director of Development Kendall Walshak, Production Assistant

Conspirare Board of Directors Nancy Lesch, Chair, Health and Wellness Strategist and Consultant Robert Harlan, Vice Chair, Owner, Harlan Enterprises William G. Fivecoat, Treasurer, CPA (ret.)

William C. Bednar, Secretary, Attorney, Independent Practice Camille Atkins, Business Management & Finance Kenneth H. Beck, Co-Founder, The Crossings (ret.)

Marvin J. Brittman, Legal Executive (ret.)

Carl Caricari, Founder, Caricari Consultants, Technology/Business Consultants Fran Collmann, Owner, TesCom (ret.)

MaryAnne Connolly, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, MACMedia Susanna Finnell, Director of Admissions, Adjunct Professor of English, University of Houston (ret.)

Sandra Fivecoat, Consultant & Executive Coach In Memoriam Elliott Forrest, Broadcaster/Producer/Director/Designer, WQXR, NY Marcus Cruz Sanchez, Director of Communications and Marketing, Kind Clinic Lucy Tiblier, Paralegal Joni Wallace, Dentist, Dr. Joni Wallace, DDS

With gratitude to our Conspirare In-Home Concert Sponsors:

22

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, Texas Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts.

This performance is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts.

Your Generosity Sustains Our Song We are deeply grateful to every individual, foundation, business, and government agency for your investments in Conspirare’s mission to change lives through the power of music.

Dedicated support from the following individuals and foundations has allowed us to fulfill our mission throughout 2020: Joyce & Ken Beck William Fivecoat William Bednar Lara & Robert Harlan Mark Bierner Richard Hartgrove and Gary Cooper Marvin J. Brittman Trish & Robert Karli Leslie Brown Gail & Jeffrey Kodosky Dixie Camp Wendi & Brian Kushner Fran & Larry Collmann Lee Manford and Casey Blass Danna & Crutch Crutchfield Nancy Quinn and Tom Driscoll Mary & Phil Delk Susan & Jack Robertson Lynne Dobson and Greg Wooldridge Gayle Roche Kristin Drumm Joni Wallace Carol & Chris Elms Eva Womack Susanna & Richard Finnell CONSPIRARE CHRISTMAS BEYOND THE SCREEN n this season Conspirare continues to partner with the Travis County Sheriff's Office Inmate Programs to provide Conspirare Christmas to the women at Travis County Correctional Center for viewing along with a special greeting for this group. Visit the Conspirare Christmas webpage to learn more about the Travis County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Programs and how you can support the families of incarcerated women.

Conspirare in the Classroom Singers in the Varsity Choir at the East High School in Victoria, Texas and the Chamber Choir & Concert Choir at High School in Sycamore, Illinois participated in a special pre-concert class with Shari Alise Wilson, Soprano, and Zach Finkelstein, tenor.

People of the Song: A Conspirare Christmas Pre-Concert Talk for Students 24 students across the country gathered with each other and Craig Hella Jonson, soprano Estelí Gomez, and bass Simon Barrad for a Zoom conversation about the influences on this year’s music selections and explore what it means to be a singer right now. Students asked how the artists were handling the stress of this time, about inspiration, and shared their favorite choral pieces.

23