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The villagers gather into a procession to go to the Old We will bear her gently Woman’s house To her Father’s heavenly home.

As they approach the Old Woman’s house The Spirits move down from the mountain and assemble around the Old Woman The Villagers: : Ronald See a light shines in her window As the shadowed dusk draws in Before the ending of the day Falters in the evening’s stillness Creator of the world we pray Trembles in the whispering wind. That with thy wonted favour, thou CORP Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now. The Shepherd goes into the Old Woman’s house and finds her dead The Villagers:

Shepherd/Shepherdess: From all ill dreams defend our eyes, From nightly fears and fantasies: The Ice Oh my sister Tread under foot our ghostly foe, You who with such patience kept That no pollution we may know. In lonely years your vigil long Mountain Taught us kindness and compassion All: Kept faith they would one day return Rest peacefully in Death’s long sleep We pray at the close of day United now with those who are gone. The pain of life fades away A gentle calm quiet falls The Villagers: In peace that lasts eternally New London In the silence of this lonely clearing When in despair I turn to you We light a flame remembering The Ever Faithful Ever true That our lives will pass My rock and guide throughout all strife Children’s Choir Like the traces of a cloud Eternal strength that gives us life. And be scattered like mist In the soft rain. Amen. Members of the They light candles

Spirits of the Mountain: New London See a light shines out the darkness Draws our weary spirits down To a woman whose great goodness Kept us from being all alone. 8.572777 12 572777 bk Corp 24/2/11 10:57 Page 2

Ronald Like this Each fragile leaf born in the wind I keep you alive in myself Speaks to us of nature’s flux CORP I hold you within me These fading trees and falling leaves (b. 1951) Deep inside Will teach and caution us to live. Like a dream I draw you into The Ice Mountain The night, in my sleep. In twilight of the darkening sky A new opera for children In sigh and creak of empty boughs She repeats this to herself and falls asleep at her We trace the pattern of our days First performed in a production by Abigail Morris spindle. The Stage goes dark Which into black night – by and by – in March 2010 at St Michael’s Church, Hampstead Will draw away. Spirits of the Mountain: Libretto by Emma Hill The Hunter enters the village Out of the darkness – agitated and ominous Cast in order of appearance: Where is the light that drives out the darkness? Hunter: Father / Young Man ...... Fiona Brindle Hear us, hear us Sorrow follows my weary footsteps Boy ...... Alex Franklin Piteously crying Sadness weights my heavy pack Girl ...... Lara Cosmetatos For I have found those lost in the mountain Hunter ...... Shulamit Morris-Evans Darkness mirrors all that is within us Released where a crevice of ice has cracked. Only the light can bring us home Tracing a path I seldom take Priest ...... Peter Shafran On a route so ravaged few have passed Old Woman ...... Natasha Worsley Groping blindly in the shadows I came upon a tomb broke open Klaus ...... James Cameron We are abandoned Cold walls split to give them back. We are alone. They rest as if in sleep entwined Sylvoli ...... Poppy Zadek-Ewing Little changed in these long years Shepherd ...... Eleanor Burke Father and son who died together 4 ACT IV: AUTUMN Returned in the last light of a fading year. The Villagers, The Hunters, Spirits of the Mountain . . . Members of the New London Children’s Choir The Villagers: The Villagers: Members of the A thin wind sounds Gently – gently A soft percussion in the trees. We will bear them Violin: Pauline Lowbury • Cello: Andrew Fuller We will bear them gently home Flute: Anna Noakes • Clarinet: David Fuest Red and yellowed leaves curl To the woman who has waited Horn: Corrine Bailey • Percussion: Nigel Shipway And on bare branches hang Half a life-time all alone. Trembling in the autumn breeze Piano: Alex Wells Where in summer sweet birds sang. Sorrow and joy Go round and around Chill gusts catch up the wing-ed seeds For those that were lost This recording was made possible by donations from a number of parents and Friends of the choir, And float them to their wintry beds Are those who are found. including Mia Cameron, Julie Carlin-Sasaki, Farbod Gorjian, Elaine Gosnell, Where cold and still they sleep Gilbert Hall, Caroline Hodes, Rosemary Karlsson and Robert Max. Till Spring’s breath stirs the earth again.

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While I am / he is gone the summer long Old Woman: Ronald Corp (b. 1951) Tending to the cattle at pasture The Ice Mountain At night I will look to the far off stars Sister/Brother Remembering her / his eyes in their lustre. Though I am alone I am not lonely The commission for the children’s opera, The Ice previously and were never seen again. She lives alone, The birds and beasts come to cheer me Mountain was initiated by a generous donation from the mourning their loss, unable properly to grieve and find Klaus: From here I can see clearly Naef/Bertele Family, who were inspired by their Swiss peace, unable to take part in village life. She lives The awakening of the sun origins to propose the adaptation of a Swiss folk-legend. consumed by her memories and separate from the rest of The girl I love is my one true love The heavenly light transforms the ice The libretto for The Ice Mountain was adapted by the villagers. They take care of her, bringing her flax I long for the day when we can be Into a sight of golden radiance Emma Hill from the folk-tale entitled ‘Die alte Frau and linen for her to weave into cloth and clothes which Together as are the gentle turtle doves And in the dark of the night the stars und die Toten’ (‘The Old Woman and the Dead’). The they then take back to the village. In the dovecote of the tall pine tree. Shine brighter here than anywhere below. Ice Mountain is in four short acts, and incorporates The Old Woman in her half-life existence, lights a elements of Swiss folk-music as well as liturgical chant. candle every night which attracts the spirits of the Sylvoli: I cherish no illusions. The libretto makes reference to various poets including mountain. This enables these restless souls to find peace My place is here John Clare and Friedrich Hölderlin. Ronald Corp says of with her and they shelter with her, finding comfort and She flying – wings trembling Close to those who are lost. the work: ‘The tale is a haunting one and very poignant solace. He in grace to her I do not wait in vain – and I was drawn by the mystical element in the story; I The air after still humming Yet proximity to the glacier think my music for the opera reflects this’. Act II Flown now into night’s deepening. Assuages my pain. Synopsis Spring comes and the village comes to life. Birds are seen and heard and the winter darkness is banished. 3 ACT III: SUMMER Shepherd/Shepherdess: The Ice Mountain is a story of the cycle of life, of loss New life gushes forth, green leaves appear. The and how to come to terms with death. It is divided into villagers – the bakers, grocers, florists, dairy, A shepherd is bringing flax to the Old Woman to spin. Sister I plead with you – four acts, the four seasons, and this cyclical passage of dressmakers and tool-makers – all start to bring their The shepherd is the woman’s brother. They greet each Can I not entreat you? time reflects the work’s emotional journey. wares to market. The mood is optimistic; the village other warmly and sit down outside her house* square becomes a bustling hive of activity. Romance is Old Woman: Act I also in the air and two young lovers declare their love Shepherd/Shepherdess: for each other. A wedding ensues, with dancing which Sister/Brother Set in a village in Switzerland, the opera starts in winter. the spirits are condemned to watch but are unable to join Sister I know it is out of love that you ask me The village lies in the shadow of a mountain. The in with. You have lived too long alone And I thank you kindly mountain is feared by the villagers who hear the ice I have come to bring you home But you must leave me as you find me. cracking and worry there will be an avalanche. They Act III To warmth – to laughter gather together, huddled in terror, as they desperately To bless the marriage of my daughter In the Village – Wedding Music and Dancing – Dusk try and protect themselves from the gathering snow Summertime and there is a riot of colour as flower To join us in celebration of the future storm. They scream as snow descends from the petals enliven the village scene. Two villagers go to see To leave the past behind. Old Woman, spinning: mountain but, safe in their houses, they are unharmed. the Old Woman to implore her to join the festivities. What they sense, but cannot actually see, is that the They ask her to abandon her solitary existence and join You would be a young man now mountain is also home to spirits. These spirits are the in the celebrations, to join in with life. She refuses and Ready to take your own wedding vows restless souls of the dead who have not found peace. they leave. But, after they have gone, she is tempted to Strong and tall as the straight pine tree There is only one villager who can see the spirits and go and see the party. She descends into the village and * The parts of A Shepherd/Shepherdess Eyes the colour of the noon-day sky. that is the Old Woman who lives, both physically and watches. Seeing the young man reminds her of her little are interchangeable mentally, apart from the villagers. The Old Woman’s boy who would, if he had lived, be the same age as the husband and child ascended the mountain twenty years groom now. She tries to return to her house but

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collapses before she gets there. Night falls and she has will have peace. The sorrow and joy go round and Dawn song of the capercaillie All: not returned to her house nor lit her candle. The spirits around like the cycle of life. Finally, the villagers reach Accentor and chough chattering are distraught as they desperately search for the light the Old Woman to tell her the news that the bodies of Knock of woodpecker echoing Time now to shake off sleep which will give them respite; they howl in their her husband and son have been found, only to find her Hoarse cry of the sooty crow. Awake to light and keep loneliness. dead. She is united with her loved ones in death. They Dark memories of night away light a candle both in her memory and in the knowledge The dark of winter is receding In daytime tasks of tending Act IV that their lives too will pass, will be snuffed out. Warmth into the ground is seeping New born calf and bleating sheep. The spirits see the candle burning and descend from Awakening life that lies below. Autumn descends and feathers represent the falling the mountain. They will bear her body to the mountain Spring through the land is spreading leaves. A villager comes down from the mountain and make sure her weary soul finds rest. Young Women: A song of joy and new beginning. having found the bodies of the Old Woman’s husband The priest sings the hymn, the villagers join in and Rejoice at sight of hares skittering and child. They were in a crevice which opened up the spirits, the Old Woman, her loved ones and the Spring shakes out her skirts Fox cubs tumbling, cats littering. when the ice melted earlier. Their bodies are brought villagers are finally at peace. Dusts the earth with tiny stars down on stretchers. The villager who has found them Of soldanella, mountain pink A vital sap that now pervades remarks that there is both sorrow and joy – sorrow that Abigail Morris And shocking blue of gentian. Hedgerow, field and marshland shade they are dead but joy that they are finally found and she Renewing pledges, spreading laughter The boughs of trees are laced Banishing sorrow to the dark months after. With sprouting leaves and birds Flowers join roots below and leaves above Are busy now with nests new made Every sound in the air is one of love. Of twig and thistledown. Klaus: Green swelling fronds of crocuses Advance against retreating snow The girl I love is a lovely girl And marshland shades are all glow Delicate and fine in every feature With primroses smudged with crimson. Fairer than gold or strings of pearl A sweet and delightful creature. Arnica, hepatica Peek from beneath soft leaves Sylvoli: And deep within the silent wood The pale anemone blooms. The boy I love is strong and good His hair the colour of hay Young Woman: Straight as the fir tree in the wood Clear eyed and bright as the day. A mist like softly fallen cloud spreads and lifts. New opened flowers turn their faces Together: To trace in light the course of the day. The wind breathes in the scent How beautiful fair is the one I love Of untouched flowers, dew pearled How kind and true is she / he Exhales sweet freshness along the valley. I will whisper to the brook My love for her / him.

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Both: Threatens to become calamitous New London Children’s Choir I go to sleep and imagine Steadfast brightness in the wildness That you are here with me. Guides the weary woodsman home Lights up a simple mountain dwelling The Old Woman lights a candle. Where a mother She leaves her door ajar and lies down to sleep Lives all alone. Spirits of the Mountain: Village Women: Moving down from the mountain, they circle around the Carry her flax and carry her linen Old Woman’s house and enter. Honey from the summer’s crop A bobbin for her spindle See a light shines in the darkness Paper and candles Flickers from a single flame A copper pan. Constant candle Sign of habitation The Villagers: Lit by a woman who waits in vain.

Sign of brightness in cold wildness We who have forgotten kindness Calls the wandering spirits down From the wastes of our icy tomb From out of their lonely frozen kingdom Are drawn to warmth and light and goodness To shelter in a human home. To where a mother lives alone.

The Old Woman’s dwelling is lit up, she sits spinning Sign of brightness in cold wildness Lures the lonely spirits down Old Woman: From out of frozen desolation To shelter in a human home. Launched by Ronald Corp in 1991, the New London Children’s Choir has appeared in all the major London concert When I woke up I had dreamed halls with Britain’s finest symphony and conductors, has collaborated with opera companies in the That you were still here with me. United Kingdom and abroad, and has made dozens of recordings and broadcasts, including its release of songs for Though you are far away 2 ACT II: SPRING children’s choir Pigs Could Fly on Naxos (8.572113). Recently the New London Children’s Choir members have My mind holds you close to me sung with and at Opera Holland Park in Hansel and Gretel, as well as at the Leicester Reads your imprint in the pillow All Villagers: Square première of the new Disney film A Christmas Carol alongside Andrea Bocelli. Other highlights include the Creased, still warm BBC Blue Peter Prom, Britten’s War Requiem, the Queen’s Birthday Prom at the Royal Albert Hall and Mahler’s As if you had only lately left Ice melting, water dripping Symphony No. 8 at the sixtieth anniversary concert of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The choir has also Jumping up from sleep to start the day. Springs coursing, birds calling. performed around the world, touring with Lou Reed in 2007 and 2008 in addition to performances at festivals in France, Italy, the United States and the Azores. The Choir has a special commitment to commissioning and has When morning comes again Nature through the land renewing given the premières of over forty new works by composers such as Diana Burrell, Simon Bainbridge, Howard I put by me all that might Bursting bud, rich blossoms drooping. Skempton, Philip Cashian, Patrick Nunn, Richard Causton, Gary Carpenter and Morgan Hayes, as well as the world Remind me of you Cattle lowing, goats bleating première of Ronald Corp’s children’s opera The Ice Mountain in 2010. Trace your shadow in the images Dogs barking, children laughing. www.newlondonchildrenschoir.org.uk A trick of the light can sometimes play And when the ordinary

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New London Orchestra The Ice Mountain We who dwell in the shadow of the mountain Heed the warning of the darkness falling The New London Orchestra was founded by Ronald Corp in 1988 to fill a gap in London’s orchestral scene by Libretto by Emma Hill No wayfarer now dares walk roads too remote performing music rarely heard in concert. The success of this founding vision during the intervening years has been At the edge of land and unmeasured space. amply demonstrated not only in the concert hall, but also in the recording studio, where the orchestra has put its 1 ACT I: WINTER name to some twenty discs for Hyperion alone, including the best-selling British Classics series and Chorus II (Spirits of the Mountain) works by Sullivan, Poulenc, Satie and Milhaud among others. A much-anticipated recording of ’s From out of darkness 1924 opera The Queen of Cornwall was released late in 2010. High on the peaks www.nlo.co.uk Boy: Ice moves, heaves, breaks Reforms in unseen shapes. Papa! Papa! The glacier is stirring Ronald Corp Groaning and cracking Ice moves The goats have taken fright. As if in lamentation Composer, conductor and choral expert, Ronald Corp They are stumbling all about For souls lost long ago. founded the New London Children’s Choir in 1991. He is Falling and tearing their legs on the rocks. also Artistic Director of the New London Orchestra and Wind whispers through Musical Director of the London Chorus and the Highgate Boy and Girl: Empty catacombs of crystal Choral Society. He is a champion of new music Buffets the high ice arches. particularly for children, and an advocate of neglected The wolves are howling twentieth-century repertory. His compositions for Their cries echoing along the valley. Snow shrouds are gathering children include Cornucopia and Kaleidoscope, and And for a moment all is still treble voices also make an appearance in the major choral Father: Before the avalanche shrieks in. works And All the Trumpets Sounded, Laudamus, Adonai Echad and A New Song. Many of Corp’s choral/vocal Run home as fast as you can Evening. In the village – people emerging out of their works are now on CD including A Christmas Mass Tell the Priest to sound the church bell houses and gather together. A light shines at the foot of (Hark! Chantage at Christmas on EMI); Flower Songs I will follow you – I am right behind you. the mountain. and other individual songs on Pigs Could Fly (Naxos 8.572113); and a selection of choral music (Forever Chorus I (The Villagers/Hunters etc) Hunter: Child on Dutton Epoch) which was released to great critical acclaim in 2006. In 2009 Corp conducted the Stop up the doors See a light shines in the darkness Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in a recording (also for Secure the latches Flickers from a single flame Dutton Epoch) of his Symphony No. 1, Piano Concerto Fire the beacons along the valley Constant candle – sign of habitation No. 1 and Guernsey Postcards. Other recent releases are Gather the children Lit by a woman a selection of songs performed by (Stone Speak your prayers Who waits in vain. Records), in 2010; Dhammapada, a setting of sayings For dark mists move upon the mountain. Photo: John Reddihough attributed to the Buddha; and his String Quartets Nos. 1 Priest: and 2 coupled with the song-cycle, Country Matters (Naxos 8.572578) in 2011. His handbook, The Choral Singer’s Goat herd and hunter Companion, is now in its third edition. Sense the storm approaching Twenty years she has kept vigil Descend if luck holds to them For her husband and beloved son Ahead clouds that roll in One bright morning they vanished in the mountain Swift and treacherous Never to return. As a brackish wave.

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