ELORA – In October of 1998, Matthew Shepard, a young gay student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie was kidnapped, severely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in a field.
Five days later, when Matthew died, the world was watching. It was one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in U.S. history.
As the 20th anniversary of Matthew’s death approached, American composer Craig Hella Johnson responded with his first concert-length work, Considering Matthew Shepard.
At a time when hate crimes toward members of the LGBTQ2S+ community are on the rise, this moving and thought-provoking work is as important as ever.
The Elora Singers, under the direction of Mark Vuorinen, will present two performances of this work on Oct. 15 at 2:30 and 7:30pm at Harcourt Memorial United Church in Guelph, with special group ticket prices for high school students.
High school teachers and administrators are invited to contact Jess Henderson at The Elora Singers office to learn more (519-846-0331).
“This story holds so many layers of meaning and raises many questions,” says composer Craig Hella Johnson.
“Surprisingly and remarkably, although remembering the suffering of Matthew Shepard can be intense and very dark, I continue to also experience a call to the inner light which this story profoundly transmits.”
“Johnson’s powerful and poignant work, Considering Matthew Shepard, asks us all, performers and audience alike to be open to hearing a difficult story and to respond with love and compassion,” said Vuorinen.
‘Hope and healing’
“In our fractured world, it remains an important story, one that invites us to consider our own fears while allowing room for hope and healing.”
This will be the first concert of The Elora Singers’ 2022-23 concert season. For full details about the 2022-23 season, and to order tickets, visit www.elorasingers.ca.
In order to protect the health of the artists and fellow patrons, it is strongly suggested audience members continue to wear masks at all Elora Singers concerts.
