Our Mother (2021)

for two mezzos / commissioned by Chicago Fringe Opera

This piece is Episode 5 of Chicago Fringe Opera’s “A City of Works” project, a set of Chicago-based micro-operas. “Our Mother,” written for two mezzo-sopranos, was inspired by the lakefront along the Gold Coast. Chicago’s relationship with the lake is complex; it nurtures us, feeds us, guards us, and threatens us all at once. This piece captures that complexity by evoking a living body of water through overlapping vocal lines.

Original text

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she calls / she feels / she is cold concrete / she looks / she anchors our feet / we sink / lungs heavy with blue

she cries / holds her breath in between gasps / she flies / her shoulders sharp and cool / cut the fresh air / waiting / making room

our mother is strong / our mother is loving and kind / the infant city swims in her arms / her touch is thin / but her voice is warm and deep / she sings furious lullabies / our mother / saltless sea

she wakes / we’ve grown / her only child / she sighs alone / wishing for sleep / haunted by her chilly womb

moody gray lake / vast and glorious / her breath shocks the city as she shouts herself hoarse / our mother / great water