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KICKSTARTER
January 1st
Canticle In Praise of the Divine Feminine
fourteen movements for Chorus & Orchestra
I am revising the piece which was presented in The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, in 1992,
and O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, Saint Paul in 1994, as a ”dance-opera.”
These performances at first took place with dancers on stage, dancing to recordings of my score & libretto utilizing some of the very best singers in the Twin Cites, accompanied by my VST orchestra. The second round of performances took place in O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in Saint Paul with dancers on stage, and soloists and a chorus of sixteen singers in the pit.
More about all this, eventually, below.
The performance was met with high praise, with reviewers calling it a "gorgeous, sumptuous sensual experience" and highlighting David Whetstone’s libretto and dramatic musical score as "first rate."
– Minneapolis Tribune
What is Happening?
At the performances in the 90s many felt that the music would do well as a concert piece. To this end, I am again revising and preparing the piece one more time.
Of course there will be living and breathing singers
It will be shortened by eight minutes
the orchestra accompaniment will be improved in tone and musicality
and the explanatory text in the libretto will be expanded.
If you think this is a good idea, and want to help in any way, that would be so appreciated! Even just moral support! I’d love to hear from you.
Please contact me via the contact form.
Libretto
Please find below the preface and libretto, largely unchanged from its original 1990s version. A revised version of the lyrics and explanatory text will be available soon.
About the audio you will hear, below:
Vocal Placeholders: The soloists and chorus sing a continuous “ooh.” In live performance, singers will bring emotional depth and clear, communicative text. For this working score, the "oohs" simply serve as placeholders for the vocal lines.
Orchestral Upgrade: The instrumentation you hear uses an older virtual orchestra. Over the next few months, this will be upgraded to feature the industry standard, world class virtual orchestra. If you have seen Academy Award winning films, you have heard this orchestra, crafted in Vienna.
Absolutely no AI has been or will be used in any aspect of the creative process for Canticle. This includes the orchestra, which I affectionately term, my gizmo.
I will be adding the production plan details here in order engender enthusiasm and confidence that a very successful performance and recording can take place.
Best way to see the libretto and hear the in progress audio:
Adjust the view: Click the arrow in the bottom right of the libretto to turn the pages.
If the text is too small, click the Full Screen icon (the square button) in the upper right of the libretto. You can press the Escape (Esc) key on your keyboard at any time to return to the main page.
Read the introduction: Read the “Note from the Composer” if you’d like.
Start the audio: Click the play button on the music player to the right. The audio will play continuously until it ends or you press pause.
Follow along: Read the libretto as if you are sitting in the theater, proceeding one movement at a time.
To aid in suspension of disbelief: It is best experienced in the evening, by candlelight—and upon the recommendations of Goethe and Mozart, a glass of wine couldn’t hurt!
Revised Lyrics for Pushpanjali
These are still in process, but getting close:
Sancta Dea Mater Miriaculorum
Sancto Numini Spiritus Gratias
Dea Divina
On this fine day, this morning of all our race, still new,
we thank You Who Hear Us for all your kindnesses.
For this body wondrous we thank you.
We thank you for our eyes, to hold dear those who make fresh the heart,
Ear to hear music sweet to hear, feet to dance, and hands to touch, we thank You.
Magna Mater Dea Terrarum.
Dea Formae.
Dea Amoris.
Dea Mirum.
Divina Sancta!
Mater Miraculorum!
Dies sanctificatus illicit nobis,
venute gentes et adorate
Dominum quod hodie desendit
Haec dies quamfecit
Dominus Exultaemus gratias.
Et laetemur gratias
Spiritus Numini
Divina Sancta Dea!
~ intermission ~
Thanks to the Holy Spirit-Divinity Divine Goddess!
Great Mother!
Goddess of the Earth!
Goddess of Beauty!
Goddess of Love!
Goddess of Wonders!
Divine, Holy Mother of Miracles!
A Sanctified day has dawned for us.
Come O nations and adore the Lord,
For today he has descended.
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and give thanks.
And let us rejoice and give thanks to the Spirt,
To the Divine Power!
To the Holy Goddess!
The Ideas Behind Canticle
I feel I should attempt to verbalize the ideas and experiences that spawned Canticle.
In progress~