MUSIC

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Houston Grand Opera presents the premiere of Pieces of 9/11, Memories from Houston, a specially commissioned song cycle by renowned US composer Jake Heggie (Dead Man Walking, Three Decembers, Moby Dick,) and librettist Gene Scheer (Three Decembers, Moby Dick).

Commissioned as part of the HGOco Song of Houston project, a unique initiative designed to connect a great opera company to its community through collaboration, the work commemorates those Houstonians who were affected by, and responded to, events on September 11, 2001. HGO will perform Pieces of 9/11, Memories from Houston on Friday, September 9, Houston City Hall Reflection Pond and Sunday, September 11 at the world renowned Rothko Chapel.

Through the transformative power of music and song, Heggie and Scheer seek to honor not only those who lost their lives on that fateful day, but also to pay tribute to the actions and thoughts of rescue team and community members.

Sung by a soprano, lyric baritone and girl soprano, the libretto is based on interviews conducted by Gene Scheer with first responders from the Houston area as well as family members of some victims. Heggie said that the score was inspired not only by the stories, but the language and personalities of the people interviewed. He has orchestrated an affecting score, with a prelude influenced by Bach’s G Major cello suite. Scored for flute, violin, guitar and cello the songs are overlaid with elements of folk and rock. The use of these instruments allows for portability so the song cycle can be performed in a variety of non-theatrical venues including fire stations, city halls, outdoor plazas and places of worship.

HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers elaborated on those comments, “We have a duty as artists to reflect on our world, but how does one respond with meaning on an event so momentous and young as the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks, a day of such universal heartbreak? Here at HGO, we have chosen to focus on the response of the responders, setting to music poetry which has emerged from their sadness and shock, stories of our own community. No work of art can heal a wound so profound, but we hope through this project to contribute to easing the pain of remembrance, and to provide a forum to celebrate the small moments of joy which become available when we do so."