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I have compiled a package to send to interested parties. This is a copy of what I send. This package is sent in case you might have an interest in performing this work in your community. This oratorio has been performed three times in the Sacramento area, once in Virginia, and twice in Washington D.C. It requires a fairly large women's chorus, soloists, and a full orchestra. We have used five or more soloists. A few have sung more than one part. A baritone is needed on the duet of "Deborah & Barak" and then he joins everyone on the final number, "Hallelujah". We also have a female Cantor for the singing of the scriptures in Hebrew about each women of the Old Testament or for certain choral pieces. The opening number by the chorus is a vocalise, no words, setting the mood for the Garden of Eden. One other choral number is also a vocalise, meant to represent the suffering of women of the world since Eve to our present day. I wrote this composition with hopes of bringing it not only to the Jewish and Christian community but many other women of different faiths moved to honor the women of the Old Testament.I have been privileged to have had a skilled Lyricist, Mildred Hunt. I added some scriptures to her words and one piece, "Deborah & Barak" is straight from the scriptures. Later I envisioned paintings of each of these woman. I found an outstanding artist named Wendy Babbel. I needed models. I decided that my daughters, granddaughters and two grandsons, and two great grandsons would be perfect.The paintings are 30/40 in oil, hanging on the walls of my home. I have full sized copies made of the painting now. We display them before each number they represent. I am also thinking of having a power point instead and have the paintings on display in the lobby.
I have not had a good recording from the past concerts, so after learning the Finale program with the wonderful orchestral sounds from the built in Garratin orchestra in the program, I have made a CD of the orchestration and just finished recording the soloists and a small chorus with the CD. It was challenging because instead of having the orchestra follow the conductor and accompany the singers we had to follow it. Therefore it was not a perfect recording but everyone did their best and we are happy. I hope this CD will give you an idea of the composition. The recorded songs took about 72 minutes. The performance will be a little longer with the added Cantor.We had the Chorus dressed in performance black as well as the orchestra but the soloists wore costuming of the time. That is not needed but it does add color to the performance. I find that having the harp play prelude music is very lovely. I did to use a lot of harp in the music. I also tried to bring a feeling of the near East into the composition.
The Cantor I used on the east coast is an opera singer herself and she expressed interest in being a part of any performance if you should want her. Also, my daughter Cherie Shoemaker and cousin, Carla Rae Cook would love to be guest soloists at any of the performances if you should chose to use them. Let me know if you are interested. I will also try to come to any of the concert venues. I will send you vocal and piano scores and orchestration if you are seriously interested. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rosalind M. Luke Crosby
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