Premiering December 7, 2020 at 7:30Pm Central Streaming Through January 6, 2021

Home , Harolyn Blackwell, Jake Heggie, Joy to the World (House), Mervyn Warren, Patty Griffin, The Shadows

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 In-Home Concert Sponsors

This performance is made possible in Presenting Sponsor part by generous support from 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 Nordic hymn; tr. Olav Lee / Anonymous Õhtul Pärt Uusberg Looking for the Dove Peter Mayer I was Sleeping Adi al-Riga How Can I Keep from Singing 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 Traditional Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones Healey Willan Reflections on Hope Members of the Dallas Street Choir Tomorrow Charles Strouse, arr. Craig Hella Johnson Joy to the World G. F. Handel arr. arr. Mervyn Warren

III. COME LOVE, CAROLING O Come, All Ye Faithful John Francis Wade Hark the Herald Angels Sing Charles Wesley La Primera Navidad Traditional Los Peces en el Rio Traditional O Tannenbaum Melchior Franck arr. Jim Clements Image de Noël, No. 2 from Trois Chants de Noël Frank Martin Peace, Peace Rick and Sylvia Powell Silent Night Franz X. Gruber

IV. THE LONGEST NIGHT The Longest Night Peter Mayer All Through the Night Trad., arr. Andrew Emmet We Clasp the Hands Craig Hella Johnson I Could Have Danced All Night 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 O come, O come, Emmanuel, captivum solve Israel, and ransom captive Israel, qui gemit in exsilio, that morns in lonely exile here privatus Dei Filio. until the Son of God appear.

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, nascetur pro te 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, O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, solare nos adveniens, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; noctis depelle nebulas, disperse the gloomy clouds of night dirasque mortis tenebras. and death's dark shadow put to flight.

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, nascetur pro te Israel! to thee shall come Emmanuel!

Veni, veni, Adonai, O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, qui populo in Sinai who to thy tribes on Sinai's height legem dedisti vertice in ancient times did give the law, in maiestate gloriae. in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, nascetur pro te Israel! to thee shall come Emmanuel! - Anonymous

3 Õhtul Vaikib linnukene The little bird grows silent ühes tuulega as the wind blows. uinub lillekene The small flower falls asleep kaste kaisussa caressed by the dew.

Eha punastades Twilight blushes ööle annab suud as she kisses the night. mälestus ja vaikus, The forest trees sleep uinund metsapuud in memory and silence.

Igatsedes ainult They are wistful minu lauluke for my song, nagu mälestus, kui vaikus now a silent memory, sõuab kaugele. as it paddles far away. --Ernst Enno, translation Katie Kring

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, The first Noel the angel did say a humildes pastores el cielo cantó, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as y un ángel les habló rodeado de luz, they lay; anunciando la Natividad de Jesús. In fields where they lay tending their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Hoy ha nacido el Rey de Israel. Born is the King of Israel. - Traditional

10 Los Peces en el Rio La Virgen se está peinando The Virgin is combing her hair Entre cortina y cortina between curtain and curtain. Los cabellos son de oro Her hair is made of gold Y el peine de plata fina. and the comb of fine silver.

Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río But look how the fish drink in the river, Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios but look how they drink to see God being nacido born. Beben y beben y vuelven a beber They drink, they drink and then they drink Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer. again, the fish in the river, to see God being born.

La Virgen está lavando The Virgin is washing y tendiendo en el romero. and hanging clothes to dry in the Los angelitos cantando rosemary: y el romero floreciendo. the birds singing and the rosemary flowering. Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios But look how the fish drink in the river, nacido but look how they drink to see God being Beben y beben y vuelven a beber born. Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer. 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 The Virgin is washing laundry Se le picaron las manos With a little soap. Manos de mi corazón 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 But look how the fish drink in the river, nacido but look how they drink to see God being Beben y beben y vuelven a beber born. Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer. They drink, they drink and then they drink - Tradicional again, the fish in the river, to see God being born. - Compiled from Enforex and MamaLisa

11 O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree du verkörperst unsern Weinachtstraum! You embody our Christmas dream!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree wie treu sind deine Blätter! How lovely are your branches! Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, You’re green not only in summertime, Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. But also in winter, when it snows. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, wie treu sind deine Blätter! How lovely are your branches!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! What happiness befalls me! Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit How often at Christmas-time Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut! A branch from you gives such delight! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! What happiness befalls me!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Dein Kleid will mich was lehren: Your visage wants to teach us: Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit Your hope and permanence Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit. Give comfort and strength at all times. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren Your visage wants to teach us. - Ernst Anschütz

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 Et la Vierge en manteau bleu and Mary 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 Frederica von Stade Multi Grammy Award winner and 2018 Frederica von Stade Described by the New Olivier Award winner for Outstanding York Times as “one of America’s finest Achievement in Opera, Kansas-born Joyce artists and singers,” Frederica von Stade DiDonato entrances audiences across the continues to be extolled as one of the music globe, and has been proclaimed “perhaps world’s most beloved figures. Known to the most potent female singer of her family, friends, and fans by her nickname generation” by the New Yorker. With a voice “Flicka,” the mezzo-soprano has enriched “nothing less than 24-carat gold” according the world of classical music for four and a to the Times, Joyce has soared to the top of half decades. the industry both as a performer and a fierce advocate for the arts, gaining Though she retired from full-time international prominence in operas by performances in 2010, she continues to Handel and Mozart, as well as through her make appearances across the United wide-ranging, acclaimed discography. She States. The 2018-19 season opens with the is also widely acclaimed for the bel canto world premiere of Lembit Beecher’s Sky on roles of Rossini and Donizetti. Swings at Opera Philadelphia. Also during the fall, she will perform alongside Susan Much in demand on the concert and recital Graham and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s for circuit she has recently held residencies at the DiMenna Center Benefit in New York Carnegie Hall and at London’s Barbican City. March marks a return to the San Diego Centre, toured extensively in the United Opera as she portrays Madeline in Jake States, South America, Europe and Asia and Heggie’s Three Decembers, a role she appeared as guest soloist at the BBC’s Last created a decade ago. In 2017, Ms. von Night of the Proms. Recent concert Stade opened the Boston Symphony highlights include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s season with a tribute to Leonard Orchestra under Ricardo Muti, the Berlin Bernstein conducted by Andris Nelsons. Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique Ms. von Stade has appeared with every under Sir John Eliot Gardiner, the leading American opera company, including Philadelphia Orchestra under Yannick San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Nézet-Séguin, and the Accademia Santa Chicago, and Los Angeles Opera. Her Cecilia Orchestra and the National Youth career in Europe has been no less Orchestra USA under Sir Antonio Pappano. spectacular, with new productions mounted for her at Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera In opera, Joyce’s recent roles include Didon Covent Garden, the Vienna State Opera, Les Troyens at the Vienna State Opera; and the Paris Opera. She is invited regularly Sesto, Cendrillon and Adalgisa Norma at the by the finest conductors, among them Kurt Metropolitan Opera, Agrippina in concert Masur, Riccardo Muti, Seiji Ozawa, André with Il Pomo d’Oro under Maxim Previn, Leonard Slatkin, and Michael Tilson Emelyanchev; Sister Helen Dead Man Thomas, to appear in concert with the Walking at the Teatro Real Madrid and world’s leading orchestras, including the London’s Barbican Centre; Semiramide at Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago the Bavarian State Opera and Royal Opera Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, New York House, and Charlotte Werther at the Royal Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Opera. Francisco Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra, Washington’s National Joyce DiDonato appears courtesy of Symphony, and the Orchestra of La Scala. Erato/Warner Classics

15 Patty Griffin Company at the end of February of 2020 Patty Griffin is among the most with 10 consecutive sellout performances, consequential singer-songwriters of her follows the true story and journey of Tony generation, a quintessentially American Valdovinos, born in Colima, Mexico and artist whose wide-ranging canon incisively brought to the U.S. when he was two years explores the intimate moments and old. The musical casts a profoundly human universal emotions that bind us together. light on what it means to be a DREAMer. An Over the course of two decades, the 2x album of 9 selections from the musical GRAMMY® Award winner – and 7x nominee – has crafted a remarkable body of (aptly titled ¡Americano! The Musical) was work that prompted the New York Times to released in January ‘20. Produced by the hail her for “[writing] cameo-carved songs musical’s arranger Sergio Mendoza, the that create complete emotional portraits of album features his band Orkesta Mendoza, specific people…[her] songs have Carrie on vocals and strings, and guest independent lives that continue in your head vocalists Joey Burns (Calexico), Brian when the music ends.” Lopez, and Carlos Arzate.

2019 brought Griffin’s first-ever eponymous Dallas Street Choir LP, PATTY GRIFFIN which made a top 5 The Dallas Street Choir was established in debut on Billboard’s “Independent Albums” October 2014 and is conducted by its chart amidst unprecedented worldwide founder, Dr. Jonathan Palant. Its mission is acclaim – and later, a prestigious to provide a musical outlet for those affected GRAMMY® Award for “Best Folk Album,” As always, Griffin’s power lies in how, as by homelessness. To date, over 2,000 writer Holly Gleason observed , “her songs individuals have attended at least one seem to freeze life and truth in amber.” rehearsal and singers have collectively Having crafted a rich catalog that chronicles amassed more than 15,000 hours of cultural love and death, heartache and joy, enrichment. The Dallas Street Choir has connection and detachment, Patty Griffin performed at Dallas' Winspear Opera continues to push her art forward, as always House, the Moody Performance Hall, the imbuing every effort with compassion and George W. Bush Presidential Library, and at craft, uncanny perception, and ever- schools and places of worship throughout increasing ingenuity. the Dallas-Fort Worth region. In 2017, the choir made history when it performed at Carrie Rodriguez New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall Carrie Rodriguez, a singer-songwriter from alongside classical music stars Frederica Austin, Texas, finds beauty in the cross- von Stade, Harolyn Blackwell, Jake Heggie, pollination of diverse traditions. A and Broadway composer Stephen passionate performer, she effortlessly melds Schwartz. In 2018, the Dallas Street Choir fiery fiddle playing, electrifying vocals and a was invited to perform at the Texas Choral fresh interpretation of new and classic Directors statewide conference, and in songs with an “Ameri-Chicana” attitude. Her March 2019, traveled to Kansas City to sing newest project found her switching roles at the American Choral Directors from performer to composer/lyricist of an Association National Convention. This original musical. ¡Americano!, which ended collaboration marks its first with Conspirare. its 27-show debut at The Phoenix Theatre

16 African Children’s Choir Nearly every performance is concluded with The African Children’s Choir is composed of a thunderous standing ovation. A marvelous African children, aged 7 to 10 years old. The by-product of the concert is the inspiration children in the Choir represent the potential the music brings to virtually every listener. of the thousands of children in Africa who In spite of the tragedy that has marred their are trapped in the cycle of poverty. The young lives, the children are radiant with children melt the hearts of audiences with hope, musically gifted and wonderfully their charming smiles and delightful African entertaining. tunes.

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

Craig Hella Johnson, Conductor, Pianist, and Artistic Director

SOPRANO TENOR Mela Sarajane Dailey – Austin, TX Cole Blume – Salem, OR Estelí Gomez – Appleton, WI Zach Finkelstein – Seattle, WA Julie Keim – Washington, DC Carr Hornbuckle – San Antonio, TX Gitanjali Mathur – Austin, TX Michael Jones – Peoria, IL Kathlene Ritch – Santa Fe, NM David Kurtenbach Rivera – San Sonja DuToit Tengblad – East Boston, MA Francisco, CA Shari Alise Wilson – Austin, TX Wilson Nichols – New York, NY Jason Vest – Cincinnati, OH ALTO Ana Baida – Atlanta, GA BASS Sarah Brauer – Portland, OR Drayton Eggleson – Sycamore, IL Lauren McAllister – Cincinnati, OH Simon Barrad – San Francisco, CA Laura Mercado-Wright – Austin, TX Cameron Beauchamp – San Antonio, TX Elizabeth Petillot – Bordeaux, France Rick Gabrillo – Round Rock, TX Keely J Rhodes – Aiken, SC 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: Conspirare Crew: Bon Davis Robert Harlan Jessica Dunbar Viera Buzgova Omar Heras Kendall Walshak Ken Huncovsky Pablo Granado Licensing: Jay Gossett Jaime Leighton Jim Larkin Catriona Long Video Watermark: Hal Siegel Brink Creative Rachel Watkins 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

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 Performed at - The Continental Club, Austin TX David Pulkingham - Guitar Steve Wertheimer Roy Taylor - Audio Engineer Katrina Lucas - Production Manager Filmed by: Omega Broadcast & Cinema Carolyn Rosenfeld - Thirty Tigers Management Director: Jonathan Barraza Camera Ops: Jason Harter, Christopher Morse

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

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 Lara Alami* Melissa Huebsch- Jack Liefer Diana Mikkelson Louise Avant Stroud Mim Luetje Stromme Mary Beth Bennett Charlotte Shivers John Spence Agatha Torku Melissa Eddy Johnson & Jim Maxwell Kendall Walshak Emily Hardey her children Ingram Andrea Pobanz Eva Hawker and Alice Steve Reedy Christy Henry Kathy Leighton

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

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 Meri Krueger, Artist Relations Ann McNair, Managing Director Jaime Leighton, Production Ellen Culver, Digital Content Coordinator Scott Administrator and Webmaster Dinger, Development Specialist Kathy Leighton, House Manager Lucas Edwards, Marketing Intern Ali Lewis, Conspirare Concierge Jane Rick Gabrillo, Associate Conductor Ramirez, Business Manager Natalie Robert Harlan, Technical Director and Stage Seeboth, Director of Development Manager Kendall Walshak, Production Assistant Briona Jenkins, Marketing Specialist

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 Bednar William Fivecoat Mark Bierner Lara & Robert Harlan Marvin J. Brittman Richard Hartgrove and Gary Cooper Leslie Brown Trish & Robert Karli Dixie Camp Gail & Jeffrey Kodosky Fran & Larry Collmann Wendi & Brian Kushner Danna & Crutch Crutchfield Lee Manford and Casey Blass Mary & Phil Delk Nancy Quinn and Tom Driscoll Lynne Dobson and Greg Wooldridge Susan & Jack Robertson Kristin Drumm Gayle Roche Carol & Chris Elms Joni Wallace Susanna & Richard Finnell Eva Womack

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.