• Mark Adamo
  • Here (for chorus and piano) (2012)

  • G Schirmer Inc (World)
  • pf
  • SATBar
  • 2 min 30 s
  • Marcus Argentarius (1st Century C.E.) translated by Brooks Haxton,
  • English

Programme Note

Text:
Marcus Argentarius (1st Century C.E.) translated by Brooks Haxton

Related works:
   Here (for mezzo-soprano and piano)
   Here (for baritone and piano)
   Here (for chorus and piano)

First performance:
March 3 2013
New York Virtuoso Singers
Harold Rosenbaum, conductor
Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY

Composer note:
This wry, spooky, ultimately exultant poem is by the first-century Greek poet Marcus Argentarius. In its luminous translation by Brooks Haxton, I discovered it when researching Lysistrata, and found it irresistible then; and this ancient celebration of community and the present moment seemed very right for this occasion. (After all, our oldest choruses are Greek; and this chorus, in its 25th year, is every bit as spirited as the text it sings.) Thanks to Harold and the singers for the sterling work they've done in all their music, including mine, and here's lifting a glass of red, red wine to at least another 25 years more.

— Mark Adamo

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