Orpheus with his lute made trees (2020)

Text by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Orpheus with his lute made trees,

And the mountain tops that freeze,

Bow themselves when he did sing:

To his music plants and flowers

Ever sprung: as sun and showers

There had made a lasting spring.

Every thing that heard him play,

Even the billows of the sea,

Hung their heads, and then lay by.

In sweet music is such art,

Killing care and grief of heart

Fall asleep, or hearing, die.

Commissioned by Chorus Austin, Ryan Heller conductor

as part of the Happy Composer Commission Project 2019

• World premiere performance by the Chorus Austin Chamber Ensemble, Ryan Heller, conductor / February 22nd, 2020 - Northwest Hills UMC, Austin, Texas