I Am
Choral Music
chorus a cappella
work detail
instrumentation: SATB (divisi) a cappella and soprano solo
completion date: september 2013
duration: 5 minutes
texts: "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" (1932) by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004)
events
NOEMA: UNDER THE PALE MIST
NOEMA - Sanders Lau, conductor
Grand Hall - Lee Shau Kee Culture Center Centennial Campus - Hong Kong
7:30 pm
Presented by the HKU Cultural Management Office, NOEMA Choir and Sanders Lau conductor perform a concert of choral works which includes my original work I Am for soprano solo and mixed choir. More information here.
NYC MASTER CHORALE PRESENTS "EVENING'S EMPIRE"
New York City Master Chorale
New York Society for Ethical Culture, Adler Hall - New York, NY
7:00 pm
NYC Master Chorale and David Recca perform my work I Am as part of their Spring concert in New York City.
NOT ONE SPARROW IS FORGOTTEN
Convoco Vocal Ensemble
First Presbyterian Church Germantown - Philadelphia, PA
7:00 pm
Convoco Vocal Ensemble performs my work I Am as part of their April 2025 concert, "Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten."
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Seraphic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
Sophia Greek Orthodox Church - Miami, FL
7:30 pm
James K. Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Seraphic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
St. Philip's Episcopal Church - Coral Gables, FL
7:30 pm
James Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Seraphic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
All Saints Episcopal - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
7:30 pm
James Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Serpahic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
St. Gregory's Episcopal Church - Boca Raton, FL
4:00 pm
James Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
audio
I Am
WMEA Performance - Feb 15, 2014 - Jeremy Mims, conductor
videos
I Am (audio only)
Seraphic Fire Recording on YouTube
I Am (Seraphic Fire & Molly Quinn)
Seraphic Fire performs “I Am” by Dominick DiOrio
Patrick Dupré Quigley, conductor
Molly Quinn, soprano
February 17, 2016
Trinity Wall Street, New York, NY
Seraphic Fire's Northeast performances are generously underwritten by an Anonymous Donor; Alicia Celorio, Do Unto Others Trust, Inc.; The Clinton Family Fund, Bruce and Martha Clinton; and the Meredyth Anne Dasburg Foundation.
For more information on Seraphic Fire, visit:
http://www.SeraphicFire.org
I Am
Dominick DiOrio "I Am" (2013)
Dale Warland Choral Series
For SATB and soprano a cappella - purchase the score
performances
(premiere)
Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) State Conference
Whitman College Chamber Singers
Jeremy Mims, director
Yakima Convention Center - Yakima, WA
Whitman College Music Department
Whitman College Chorale
Jeremy Mims, director
Whitman College - Walla Walla, WA
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
St. Sophia Cathedral - Miami, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
St. Philip's Episcopal - Coral Gables, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
All Saints Episcopal - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
All Souls Episcopal - Miami Beach, FL
ACDA National Conference - College/University Reading Session
NOTUS: IU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Dominick DiOrio, conductor; Kellie Motter, soprano
LDS Assembly Hall - Temple Square - Salt Lake City, UT
ACDA Tour Home Concert
NOTUS: IU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Dominick DiOrio, conductor; Kellie Motter, soprano
Auer Concert Hall - Indiana University Jacobs School of Music - Bloomington, IN
UCM Fall Concert
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
University of Central Missouri - Warrensburg, MO
UCM Fall Concert
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
University of Central Missouri - Warrensburg, MO
MMEA In-Service Workshop / Conference
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
Osage Beach, MO
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
All Saints Episcopal - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
Miami Shores Presbyterian - Miami Shores, FL
UCM Carnegie Hall Concert / Mid-America Productions
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
Carnegie Hall / Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage - New York, NY
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center - Miami, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
St. Paul's Episcopal, K Street - Washington, D.C.
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
Trinity Wall Street - New York, NY
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
St. Clement's Episcopal - Philadelphia, PA
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
The National Centre for Early Music - York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Ahjo Ensemble
Paavo Hyökki, conductor; Elisa Huovinen, soprano
St. Paul's Church - Helsinki, Finland
University of Maryland Chamber Singers
Dominick DiOrio, guest conductor
âUMD School of Music - College Park, MD
Vocal Arts Ensemble
Jan Yngwe, conductor
Göteborgs Universitet - Högskolan för Scen och Musik - Gothenburg, Sweden
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
St. Barbara's Cathedral - Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
Church of St. Salvator - Prague, Czech Republic
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
Church of St. Martin in the Wall - Old Town / Prague, Czech Republic
McGill University Chorus
Jean Sébastien-Vallée, conductor
McGill University - Montreal, Québec, Canada
Pro Arte Singers
Arthur Sjogren, conductor; Elizabeth Bates, soprano
First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan - New Canaan, CT
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
The New Sanctuary at Trinity Fairview - Fairview Village, PA
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Bristol Chapel - Westminster Choir College of Rider University - Princeton, NJ
University of Louisville Cardinal Singers
Kent Hatteberg, conductor
University of Louisville - Louisville, KY
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Lakeside Presbyterian Church - Lakeside Park, KY
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
West End United Methodist Church - Nashville, TN
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Independent Presbyterian Church - Birmingham, AL
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
All Saints Episcopal Church - Atlanta, GA
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Florida Music Educators Association Annual Conference
Tampa Convention Center - Ballroom A - Tampa, FL
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Northern Illinois University Chamber Choir
Eric Johnson, conductor
Boutell Memorial Concert Hall - Northern Illinois University - Dekalb, IL
Madison Chamber Choir
Albert Pinsonneault, director
Christ Presbyterian Church - Madison, WI
Resound Ensemble
Luçik Aprahämian, artistic director
Noe Valley Ministry - San Francisco, CA
Resound Ensemble
Luçik Aprahämian, artistic director
Noe Valley Ministry - San Francisco, CA
Resound Ensemble
Luçik Aprahämian, artistic director
Noe Valley Ministry - San Francisco, CA
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery - Montserrat, Spain
"This American Voice"
Houston Chamber Choir
Robert Simpson, conductor
South Main Baptist Church - Houston, TX
Oberlin College Choir
Gregory Ristow, conductor
Oberlin College - Fairchild Chapel - Oberlin, OH
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, conductor
Harris Concert Hall - Aspen, CO
Houston Chamber Choir
Dominick DiOrio, guest conductor
South Main Baptist Church - Houston, TX
Ahjo Ensemble
Paavo Hyökki, conductor
Konepajan Bruno - Helsinki, Finland
A & P Choir
Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor
The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Radiance
Markdavin Obenza, artistic director
Trinity Parish Church - Seattle, WA
Linn Benton Community College Chamber Choir
Raymund Ocampo, director; Dominick DiOrio, guest conductor
LBCC - Albany, OR
New Liszt Ferenc Chamber Choir
Jean Sébastien Vallée, guest conductor
Franz Liszt Academy of Music - Budapest, Hungary
NOEMA, Sanders Lau conductor - Grand Hall - Lee Shau Kee Lecture Center - Centennial Hall - University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong
press
- 2014-10-26: Seraphic Fire presents fine feast of contemporary American music
- 2014-10-19: Seraphic Fire keeps it pure for season opener
- 2014-09-18: CD REVIEW: Reincarnations, A Century of American Choral Music (Seraphic Fire)
- 2015-03-30: REVIEW: Reincarnations: A Century of American Choral Music
- 2015-05-30: REVIEW: Seraphic Fire: "Reincarnations: A Century of American Choral Music"
- 2016-02-13: Seraphic Fire's encore of its completed Mozart Requiem marred by scrappy orchestra
- 2016-02-18: Seraphic Fire Deliver Thrills and Transcendence at Trinity Church
- 2016-11-05: Dominick DiOrio: Innovation in Composition
- 2017-04-17: Movement Zero - Episode 4 - Identiy, Love, and Death with Dominick DiOrio
- 2020-03-01: The Road Home - "Beautiful renditions of devotional American choral music"
- 2025-10-15: Seraphic Fire sounds brilliant in opener, but varied program is uneven
recordings
Seraphic Fire - Patrick Dupre Quigley, artistic director
Featuring music of Nico Muhly, Colin Britt, Paul Crabtree, Jake Runestad, Dan Forrest, Morten Lauridsen, Samuel Barber, Shawn Crouch, Frank Ticheli, and Dominick DiOrio (I Am).
REVIEW: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation - KnightArts.org
Willow Consort - Danny Purtell, cond.
Featuring a recording of I Am
recording
Reincarnations: A Century of American Choral Music
Seraphic Fire - Patrick Dupre Quigley, artistic director
Naxos of America / Seraphic Fire Media
Buy the album on Amazon or iTunes.
Released September 9, 2014.
program note
Mary Elizabeth Frye's poem "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" has been used time-and-time again for funeral benedictions, invocations, and other ceremonies of mourning. Strangely enough, Frye preferred to keep her authorship of the poem anonymous, and it remained this way until 1998 when newspaper columnist Abigail van Buren publicly acknowledged her.
My musical setting begins very placidly, and takes the refrain of "I am" as a mantra for existence. The use of dramatic soprano solo is both a musical and theatrical choice, with the soloist communicating from beyond death to those still alive. The chorus is also a character in the action, at times reclusive or electric, but always with a steely presence. Most importantly, this is not a tepid music: the act of "being" is here an act of defiance, with life triumphing over the grave.
information
events
NOEMA: UNDER THE PALE MIST
NOEMA - Sanders Lau, conductor
Grand Hall - Lee Shau Kee Culture Center Centennial Campus - Hong Kong
7:30 pm
Presented by the HKU Cultural Management Office, NOEMA Choir and Sanders Lau conductor perform a concert of choral works which includes my original work I Am for soprano solo and mixed choir. More information here.
NYC MASTER CHORALE PRESENTS "EVENING'S EMPIRE"
New York City Master Chorale
New York Society for Ethical Culture, Adler Hall - New York, NY
7:00 pm
NYC Master Chorale and David Recca perform my work I Am as part of their Spring concert in New York City.
NOT ONE SPARROW IS FORGOTTEN
Convoco Vocal Ensemble
First Presbyterian Church Germantown - Philadelphia, PA
7:00 pm
Convoco Vocal Ensemble performs my work I Am as part of their April 2025 concert, "Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten."
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Seraphic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
Sophia Greek Orthodox Church - Miami, FL
7:30 pm
James K. Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Seraphic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
St. Philip's Episcopal Church - Coral Gables, FL
7:30 pm
James Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Seraphic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
All Saints Episcopal - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
7:30 pm
James Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
THE BEST OF SERAPHIC FIRE
Serpahic Fire - James K. Bass, conductor
St. Gregory's Episcopal Church - Boca Raton, FL
4:00 pm
James Bass leads Seraphic Fire in their opening concert of the year, featuring timeless favorites from across the 23 years of the ensemble's programming. Includes my work, I Am with soprano solo. More information here.
audio
I Am
WMEA Performance - Feb 15, 2014 - Jeremy Mims, conductor
videos
I Am (audio only)
Seraphic Fire Recording on YouTube
I Am (Seraphic Fire & Molly Quinn)
Seraphic Fire performs “I Am” by Dominick DiOrio
Patrick Dupré Quigley, conductor
Molly Quinn, soprano
February 17, 2016
Trinity Wall Street, New York, NY
Seraphic Fire's Northeast performances are generously underwritten by an Anonymous Donor; Alicia Celorio, Do Unto Others Trust, Inc.; The Clinton Family Fund, Bruce and Martha Clinton; and the Meredyth Anne Dasburg Foundation.
For more information on Seraphic Fire, visit:
http://www.SeraphicFire.org
I Am
Dominick DiOrio "I Am" (2013)
Dale Warland Choral Series
For SATB and soprano a cappella - purchase the score
performances
(premiere)
Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) State Conference
Whitman College Chamber Singers
Jeremy Mims, director
Yakima Convention Center - Yakima, WA
Whitman College Music Department
Whitman College Chorale
Jeremy Mims, director
Whitman College - Walla Walla, WA
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
St. Sophia Cathedral - Miami, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
St. Philip's Episcopal - Coral Gables, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
All Saints Episcopal - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
All Souls Episcopal - Miami Beach, FL
ACDA National Conference - College/University Reading Session
NOTUS: IU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Dominick DiOrio, conductor; Kellie Motter, soprano
LDS Assembly Hall - Temple Square - Salt Lake City, UT
ACDA Tour Home Concert
NOTUS: IU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Dominick DiOrio, conductor; Kellie Motter, soprano
Auer Concert Hall - Indiana University Jacobs School of Music - Bloomington, IN
UCM Fall Concert
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
University of Central Missouri - Warrensburg, MO
UCM Fall Concert
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
University of Central Missouri - Warrensburg, MO
MMEA In-Service Workshop / Conference
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
Osage Beach, MO
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
All Saints Episcopal - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
Miami Shores Presbyterian - Miami Shores, FL
UCM Carnegie Hall Concert / Mid-America Productions
University of Central Missouri Concert Choir
Alan Zabriskie, conductor; Agatha Holland, soprano
Carnegie Hall / Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage - New York, NY
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center - Miami, FL
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
St. Paul's Episcopal, K Street - Washington, D.C.
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
Trinity Wall Street - New York, NY
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, director
Molly Quinn, soprano
St. Clement's Episcopal - Philadelphia, PA
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
The National Centre for Early Music - York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Ahjo Ensemble
Paavo Hyökki, conductor; Elisa Huovinen, soprano
St. Paul's Church - Helsinki, Finland
University of Maryland Chamber Singers
Dominick DiOrio, guest conductor
âUMD School of Music - College Park, MD
Vocal Arts Ensemble
Jan Yngwe, conductor
Göteborgs Universitet - Högskolan för Scen och Musik - Gothenburg, Sweden
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
St. Barbara's Cathedral - Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
Church of St. Salvator - Prague, Czech Republic
The Willow Consort
Danny Purtell, conductor
Church of St. Martin in the Wall - Old Town / Prague, Czech Republic
McGill University Chorus
Jean Sébastien-Vallée, conductor
McGill University - Montreal, Québec, Canada
Pro Arte Singers
Arthur Sjogren, conductor; Elizabeth Bates, soprano
First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan - New Canaan, CT
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
The New Sanctuary at Trinity Fairview - Fairview Village, PA
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Bristol Chapel - Westminster Choir College of Rider University - Princeton, NJ
University of Louisville Cardinal Singers
Kent Hatteberg, conductor
University of Louisville - Louisville, KY
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Lakeside Presbyterian Church - Lakeside Park, KY
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
West End United Methodist Church - Nashville, TN
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Independent Presbyterian Church - Birmingham, AL
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
All Saints Episcopal Church - Atlanta, GA
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Florida Music Educators Association Annual Conference
Tampa Convention Center - Ballroom A - Tampa, FL
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Northern Illinois University Chamber Choir
Eric Johnson, conductor
Boutell Memorial Concert Hall - Northern Illinois University - Dekalb, IL
Madison Chamber Choir
Albert Pinsonneault, director
Christ Presbyterian Church - Madison, WI
Resound Ensemble
Luçik Aprahämian, artistic director
Noe Valley Ministry - San Francisco, CA
Resound Ensemble
Luçik Aprahämian, artistic director
Noe Valley Ministry - San Francisco, CA
Resound Ensemble
Luçik Aprahämian, artistic director
Noe Valley Ministry - San Francisco, CA
The Westminster Choir
Joe Miller, conductor
Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery - Montserrat, Spain
"This American Voice"
Houston Chamber Choir
Robert Simpson, conductor
South Main Baptist Church - Houston, TX
Oberlin College Choir
Gregory Ristow, conductor
Oberlin College - Fairchild Chapel - Oberlin, OH
Seraphic Fire
Patrick Dupré Quigley, conductor
Harris Concert Hall - Aspen, CO
Houston Chamber Choir
Dominick DiOrio, guest conductor
South Main Baptist Church - Houston, TX
Ahjo Ensemble
Paavo Hyökki, conductor
Konepajan Bruno - Helsinki, Finland
A & P Choir
Jean-Sébastien Vallée, conductor
The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Radiance
Markdavin Obenza, artistic director
Trinity Parish Church - Seattle, WA
Linn Benton Community College Chamber Choir
Raymund Ocampo, director; Dominick DiOrio, guest conductor
LBCC - Albany, OR
New Liszt Ferenc Chamber Choir
Jean Sébastien Vallée, guest conductor
Franz Liszt Academy of Music - Budapest, Hungary
NOEMA, Sanders Lau conductor - Grand Hall - Lee Shau Kee Lecture Center - Centennial Hall - University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong
press
- 2014-10-26: Seraphic Fire presents fine feast of contemporary American music
- 2014-10-19: Seraphic Fire keeps it pure for season opener
- 2014-09-18: CD REVIEW: Reincarnations, A Century of American Choral Music (Seraphic Fire)
- 2015-03-30: REVIEW: Reincarnations: A Century of American Choral Music
- 2015-05-30: REVIEW: Seraphic Fire: "Reincarnations: A Century of American Choral Music"
- 2016-02-13: Seraphic Fire's encore of its completed Mozart Requiem marred by scrappy orchestra
- 2016-02-18: Seraphic Fire Deliver Thrills and Transcendence at Trinity Church
- 2016-11-05: Dominick DiOrio: Innovation in Composition
- 2017-04-17: Movement Zero - Episode 4 - Identiy, Love, and Death with Dominick DiOrio
- 2020-03-01: The Road Home - "Beautiful renditions of devotional American choral music"
- 2025-10-15: Seraphic Fire sounds brilliant in opener, but varied program is uneven
recordings
Seraphic Fire - Patrick Dupre Quigley, artistic director
Featuring music of Nico Muhly, Colin Britt, Paul Crabtree, Jake Runestad, Dan Forrest, Morten Lauridsen, Samuel Barber, Shawn Crouch, Frank Ticheli, and Dominick DiOrio (I Am).
REVIEW: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation - KnightArts.org
Willow Consort - Danny Purtell, cond.
Featuring a recording of I Am
published
recording
Reincarnations: A Century of American Choral Music
Seraphic Fire - Patrick Dupre Quigley, artistic director
Naxos of America / Seraphic Fire Media
Buy the album on Amazon or iTunes.
Released September 9, 2014.
program note
Mary Elizabeth Frye's poem "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" has been used time-and-time again for funeral benedictions, invocations, and other ceremonies of mourning. Strangely enough, Frye preferred to keep her authorship of the poem anonymous, and it remained this way until 1998 when newspaper columnist Abigail van Buren publicly acknowledged her.
My musical setting begins very placidly, and takes the refrain of "I am" as a mantra for existence. The use of dramatic soprano solo is both a musical and theatrical choice, with the soloist communicating from beyond death to those still alive. The chorus is also a character in the action, at times reclusive or electric, but always with a steely presence. Most importantly, this is not a tepid music: the act of "being" is here an act of defiance, with life triumphing over the grave.
