Robert Kyr Earth Vigil

Robert Kyr’s Earth Vigil invokes the power of music to speak from the deepest parts of ourselves. In this time, when so many are feeling the extreme urgency of the climate crisis and hearing the cries of our imperiled planet, we share this new composition with tremendous gratitude.

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Earth Vigil is an environmental oratorio for two principal soloists (soprano and baritone), chorus, and seven instrumentalists commissioned by Conspirare. The work is a sequel to A Time for Life, also an environmental oratorio, the first Kyr work performed by Conspirare.

As a musical storytelling, Earth Vigil traces the journey of two persons, a woman and a man named Alesha and Tallis. They are drawn together through their love of Nature and their concern for the environment, as they personally witness the devastating effects of global climate change. This work is a fusion of oratorio and opera, which I call a “choral drama.” In this new musical genre, the chorus is one of the principal characters, and its vocalists take many different roles; they are soloists, as well as members of vocal chamber ensembles and singers within the full chorus.

With soloists Awet Andemicael and Stephen Lancaster.

Soloists
  • Awet Andemicael, soprano
  • Stephen Lancaster, baritone
Soprano
  • Chelsea Helm
  • Julie Keim
  • Tabitha Lewis
  • Gitanjali Mathur
  • Miriam Sheehan
Alto
  • Ana Baida
  • Sarah Brauer
  • Lauren McAllister
  • Laura Mercado-Wright
  • Lianna Wimberly Williams
Tenor
  • Haitham Haidar
  • Michael Jones
  • David Morales
  • Jason Vest
Bass
  • Rick Gabrillo
  • Robert Harlan
  • John Proft
  • Sean Taylor
  • Paul Max Tipton
Instrumentalists
  • Adrienne Inglis, flute
  • Ian Davidson, oboe
  • Jonathan Gunn, clarinet
  • Corinne Stillwell, violin
  • Bruce Williams, viola
  • Barbara George, cello
  • Thomas Burritt, marimba & percussion (Arias & Choruses) – Leander, TX
  • Matthew Teodori, marimba (Narratives) –
  • Joseph Choi, rehearsal pianist – Austin, TX
  • Eric Thompson, rehearsal pianist – New Braunfels, TX
Track Listing
  1. Earth Vigil, Scene 1: No. 1, Invocation. Creation Story
  2. Earth Vigil, Scene 1: No. 2,Chorus. Hail, One Life!
  3. Earth Vigil, Scene 2: No. 1, Narrative I. Remembering
  4. Earth Vigil, Scene 2: No. 2, Aria. Shining Stonesong
  5. Earth Vigil, Scene 3: Chorus. Hail, One Life! (Refrain I)
  6. Earth Vigil, Scene 4: No. 1, Narrative II, Pt. 1. Finding a Time
  7. Earth Vigil, Scene 4: No. 2, Aria. Thunder Floodsong
  8. Earth Vigil, Scene 5: No. 1, Narrative II, Pt. 2. Panic and Anguish
  9. Earth Vigil, Scene 5: No. 2, Duo Aria. Wildfire Smokesong
  10. Earth Vigil, Scene 6: No. 1, Narrative II, Pt. 3. Only One Way
  11. Earth Vigil, Scene 6: No. 2, Duo Aria. Roaring Riversong
  12. Earth Vigil, Scene 7: Chorus. Hail, One Life! (Refrain II)
  13. Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 1. Emerging
  14. Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 2, Lament. All Is Gone
  15. Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 3, Chorus I. The Joyless Land
  16. Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 4, Chorus II. All of You Who Pass By
  17. Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 5, Aria. I Will Go On
  18. Earth Vigil, Scene 9: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 2. Night Falling
  19. Earth Vigil, Scene 9: No. 2, Aria. Circle of Arms
  20. Earth Vigil, Scene 10: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 3. Early Light
  21. Earth Vigil, Scene 10: No. 2, Chorale Aria. Tree of Life Song
  22. Earth Vigil, Scene 11: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 4. Fire and Water
  23. Earth Vigil, Scene 11: No. 2, Finale. Now Is the Time
  24. Earth Vigil, Scene 11: No. 3, Chorale. Eternal Wonder Arising

Recorded at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Austin, TX

May 5 & 6, 2022 and February 15 & 16, 2023

Executive Producers: Craig Hella Johnson, Robert Kyr, and Ann McNair

Producer, Recording Engineer and Editor, Mastering: Randall Squires

Mastering by Randall Squires

Assistant Producer and Technical Director: Robert Harlan

Recording Assistant: Allyson Moreno

Cover Photo: Mesa & Rocks in Late Afternoon, Robert Kyr

Cover Design: Karin Elsener

Booklet, Sleeve & CD Design: Pragma Creation

Photo credits:  Robert Kyr