she conjures for voice & piano
PDF score for she conjures for mezzo-soprano and piano
soprano key available by request
music by Lisa Neher
libretto by Bea Goodwin
Length: 12 minutes
Vocal range: A3-A5
Program Note:
she conjures places us in 1666 in North Berwick, Scotland. Grissall’s mother has been burned for witchcraft and a mysterious spell of endless snow has fallen upon the land. With the help of her mother’s feathered familiar, Caraid, Grissall seeks answers and justice, with the help of a little magic of her own. This feminist tale of witches, crows, curses, revenge, and redemption is infused with Scottish folk music elements. With a dramatic libretto by Bea Goodwin, the work can be performed in concert as a song cycle or staged as an operatic scene. she conjures was commissioned by Catalyst New Music for their Fuse: Collaborations in Song project and premiered by Claire McCahan, mezzo-soprano, and Brendon Shapiro, piano in February, 2023.
Optional: the singer may play a bodhrán or other simple skin drum in movements i and iv of the piece, or alternatively may stomp with their foot.