Considering Matthew Shepard

Remembering the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard on the 27th anniversary of his killing, join Coro Lux in honoring Matt through this Grammy-nominated three-part fusion oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson, conducted by the composer. Johnson’s work speaks with a fresh and bold voice, incorporating a variety of musical styles seamlessly woven into a unified whole. Incorporating a wide range of poetic and soulful texts by poets including Hildegard of Bingen, Lesléa Newman, Michael Dennis Browne, and Rumi, passages from Matt’s personal journal, interviews and writings from his parents Judy and Dennis Shepard, newspaper reports, and additional texts by Johnson and Browne are poignantly appointed throughout the work. This powerful piece explores themes of compassion, resilience, and the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.