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To continue our kaupapa of centering LGBTQ+ artists and stories, Wellington Youth Choir is honoured to be performing Craig Hella Johnson's Considering Matthew Shepard in collaboration with the Christchurch Youth Choir for our final concert of our 2024 cycle. This performance will mark the North Island premiere of this work, and commemorate the 26th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's passing. Considering Matthew Shepard is a three-part modern oratorio written by American composer Craig Hella Johnson in response to the murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man from Wyoming whose death garnered international news coverage in 1998. To tell Matthew's story, Johnson transgresses the traditional boundaries of choral oratorio by incorporating numerous musical genres throughout the work such as musical theatre, jazz, classical oratorio and gospel music. Over this dynamic and evocative soundscape, Johnson uses a variety of poetic texts by Lesléa Newman, Michael Dennis Browne and Rumi alongside excerpts from newspaper reports, Matthew's journal and interviews with his family to create 'a space for reflection, consideration and unity around his life and legacy' (Johnson).
Described by the Washington Post as a demonstration of 'music's capacity to encompass, transform and transcend tragedy', Considering Matthew Shepard is a cathartic work that instills joy and hope for a brighter future for all of humanity.
For tickets and more information, check out our Humanitix site.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 35 Molesworth St, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand,Wellington, New Zealand
Tickets
