Honeyed Voices for soprano, mezzo, and piano
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PDF score of Honeyed Voices for soprano, mezzo-soprano, & piano, music by Lisa Neher, libretto by Caitlin Vincent. Commissioned by Cristina Gallo and the Siren Songs Project.
Length: 16 minutes
Vocal Ranges:
Woman - Soprano: (ossia A3) C4-A5 (ossia B-flat 5)
Siren - Mezzo: A3-G5
RecordingWatch the workshop performance on Facebook (the piece begins approx. 45 minutes into the video).
Listen to a MIDI realization below:
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Score |
Performance noteHoneyed Voices is designed as a theatrical song cycle with two distinct characters: the Woman (soprano) and the Siren (mezzo-soprano). The work can be presented in a traditional recital format or as a staged or semi-staged presentation.
Librettist's NoteThis piece was conceived around the broader theme of climate change and sirens. We were particularly intrigued by the idea of seduction and the kinds of ‘honeyed’ voices that persuade us to make the easy choices when it comes to the environment. The woman at the center of our story is able to resist the siren’s call over the course of the four movements. However, we make it clear that the battle isn’t over—the siren will always be lying in wait.
--Caitlin Vincent Libretto |
Composer's NoteAs we grapple with the crisis of a warming planet, I’ve observed that the very people who care the most about climate change are often the most paralyzed when it comes to taking action. This freeze seems tied to a desire to take the “most perfect” action. As there is no one single action that will stop climate change, a spiral of despair unfolds. If nothing we can do is enough, why do anything at all?
This is the inspiration behind Honeyed Voices, commissioned by Cristina Gallo for her Siren Songs project. The mythological siren who lures sailors to their deaths is transformed into the siren of our minds, who baits us into despair by telling us we are powerless, that there is no hope and no point in taking action, so we may as well enjoy an indulgent, capitalistic lifestyle while we can. In this piece, we recognize the gravity of the crisis and the true challenges that face us, while spurring us all onto action and to keep fighting those “small, honeyed voices” that tell us we can’t make a difference. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. --Lisa Neher |
I. WOMAN & SIREN (duet)
II. WOMAN (solo)
III. SIREN (solo)
IV. WOMAN & SIREN (duet)
II. WOMAN (solo)
III. SIREN (solo)
IV. WOMAN & SIREN (duet)
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I.
WOMAN I see it. In the latest headline. The latest viral feed. Another flood. Another fire. Another crowd of fleeing people. WOMAN They’ve been warning us. For decades. With data and predictions. Endlessly identical studies. The earth is warming. And we are the cause. WOMAN I see it. I believe it. How can you not believe? Another storm. Another study. Another drought. Another message: The earth is warming. Collapsing. Because of us. How can you not believe? |
SIREN [aside; as if whispering in her ear] It’s just the changing seasons. Just the natural cycle. No cause for concern. SIREN It’s just a theory. Just a guess. No need for panic. SIREN We need more storms More studies. More droughts. SIREN [apologetically] We want to believe. We want to concede. But there’s so much more you could do. |
II.
WOMAN [with edge]
Reduce.
Reuse.
Recycle.
Paper, not plastic.
Beans, not beef.
Change the lightbulbs.
Cut down water.
Walk, don’t drive.
If you care enough. . .
If you do enough. . .
It’ll make a difference.
We’ll make a difference.
Except that it doesn’t.
Except we don’t.
Except nothing changes.
But the level of the waters.
[with growing angst]
Reduce.
Reuse.
Recycle.
Electric, not gas!
Organic, not conventional!
Stop eating!
Who needs heating?
Don’t bother having kids!
Do more!
Care more!
While the waters keep rising.
The glaciers keep melting.
[with sarcasm]
The fault must be mine.
For not caring or doing enough.
If I cared. . .I’d walk to work.
If I cared. . .I’d switch to solar.
When my work’s too far to walk.
When I can’t afford a house.
But still the fault is mine.
Not those who could and don’t.
Who should but won’t.
Who lobby and bribe and sway.
For another day of profit.
No. . . it must be me.
Because I don’t care enough.
Because today I drove to work.
WOMAN [with edge]
Reduce.
Reuse.
Recycle.
Paper, not plastic.
Beans, not beef.
Change the lightbulbs.
Cut down water.
Walk, don’t drive.
If you care enough. . .
If you do enough. . .
It’ll make a difference.
We’ll make a difference.
Except that it doesn’t.
Except we don’t.
Except nothing changes.
But the level of the waters.
[with growing angst]
Reduce.
Reuse.
Recycle.
Electric, not gas!
Organic, not conventional!
Stop eating!
Who needs heating?
Don’t bother having kids!
Do more!
Care more!
While the waters keep rising.
The glaciers keep melting.
[with sarcasm]
The fault must be mine.
For not caring or doing enough.
If I cared. . .I’d walk to work.
If I cared. . .I’d switch to solar.
When my work’s too far to walk.
When I can’t afford a house.
But still the fault is mine.
Not those who could and don’t.
Who should but won’t.
Who lobby and bribe and sway.
For another day of profit.
No. . . it must be me.
Because I don’t care enough.
Because today I drove to work.
III.
SIREN [sympathetically]
Don’t you miss. . .
Don’t you want. . .
Don’t you miss. . .
Everything you’re giving up?
All this renouncement.
That changes nothing.
That means nothing.
Don’t you want. . .
To enjoy your life?
Linger in hot showers.
Eat steak and sushi in Venice. . .
While you can?
Why suffer on your own?
Sacrifice all alone?
Why try so hard?
And care so much?
When nobody else does?
Free yourself.
From this guilt.
This nobility.
This misplaced responsibility.
Just take that flight.
Surprise your mom for the weekend. . .
Just buy that car.
You’ve been working so hard. . .
Just indulge.
Just enjoy.
Extract.
And consume.
Like everybody else.
Just live your life.
While you can.
SIREN [sympathetically]
Don’t you miss. . .
Don’t you want. . .
Don’t you miss. . .
Everything you’re giving up?
All this renouncement.
That changes nothing.
That means nothing.
Don’t you want. . .
To enjoy your life?
Linger in hot showers.
Eat steak and sushi in Venice. . .
While you can?
Why suffer on your own?
Sacrifice all alone?
Why try so hard?
And care so much?
When nobody else does?
Free yourself.
From this guilt.
This nobility.
This misplaced responsibility.
Just take that flight.
Surprise your mom for the weekend. . .
Just buy that car.
You’ve been working so hard. . .
Just indulge.
Just enjoy.
Extract.
And consume.
Like everybody else.
Just live your life.
While you can.
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IV.
WOMAN [to the SIREN] I know what you’re doing. WOMAN [to the SIREN] I know what you are. WOMAN [to the SIREN] But it’s not just that. . . is it? WOMAN [to the SIREN] Not if it means pretending. WOMAN [with bitterness] I miss. . . And I want. . . And I’m angry. At our parents. Their parents. At leaders for failing to lead. For choosing to leave the mess To whoever is left. WOMAN I miss. . . And I want. . . And I’m angry. At that small, honeyed voice. Telling me not to bother. Saying it's all too late. Just live in the now. While I can. WOMAN [to the audience] Can you hear it too? That urge to give up. That impulse to just give in. To sink into the shallows. WOMAN But I'm angry. Too angry to believe. My choices don't matter. Even when they're small. Even when they feel like loss. I'm too angry to believe no one else cares. WOMAN [with determination] Reduce. WOMAN Reuse. WOMAN Recycle. WOMAN Resist. Resist the indifference. Resist the despair. Even when the fires burn. Even when the floods spread. WOMAN I won't give in. I won't give up. |
SIREN [innocently] Don’t you miss. . . Don’t you want. . . SIREN [with falsely wide eyes] It’s just a flight. Just a car. SIREN [changing tacks] I just want you to be happy. Don’t you want to be happy? SIREN Don't you miss... Don't you want... SIREN Don't you miss... Don't you want... SIREN [with increasing intensity] There's nothing you can do Nothing you can do. Just live in the now. Indulge. Consume. While you can. SIREN Give up... Give in... Follow me... Come with me... SIREN [with growing malevolence] They don't matter. You don't matter. No one cares. No one else cares. SIREN Don't try. SIREN Don't care. SIREN Don't hope. SIREN [with malevolence] The fires will burn. The floods will spread. SIREN [ominously] Neither will I... |