The Light of Hope Returning

Unique in the landscape of virtual choir projects, The Light of Hope Returning is a combined effort of WomenSing of the Bay Area, California (Director, Ofer dal Lal) and Elektra Women’s Choir, of Vancouver, Canada (Director, Morna Edmundson). This international collaboration features the music of Shawn Kirchner (Los Angeles Master Chorale Composer-in-Residence) and the hand-drawn animation of Kevork Mourad, bringing together 70 women’s voices in homage to the holiday season. The Light of Hope Returning poignantly reflects the current state of global uncertainty, while at the same time ultimately trusting in the cycle of the seasons and the hope embodied by the eventual return of light. The online performance will also feature Canadian soloist Allison Girvan and instrumentalists from the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. With few concert-length works specifically for women in the choral music repertoire, Dal Lal sought composer Kirchner to create an American folk solstice oratorio. Kirchner’s response was to create The Light of Hope Returning. It includes arrangements of beloved traditional carols along with an equal number of newly written carols, several of which feature texts by Newbery Honoree author Susan Cooper, revered for her poem The Shortest Day, and The Dark is Rising. The work reflects the rich variety of American musical tradition, featuring folk and gospel styles, Appalachian songs and spirituals, and the colors of fiddle, hammered dulcimer, bluegrass-style piano, and jubilant jazz saxophone. Offering a visual counterpart to this soundscape is the stunning animation of Kevork Mourad. Celebrated New York-based visual artist, Mourad specializes in live performances combining video and hand-drawn elements, as well as multi-layered paintings. Some of his many notable collaborations include Yo Yo Ma and The Silk Road; Handel’s Israel in Egypt for the Los Angeles Master Chorale; interactive stage set design for Beethoven’s Fidelio, Korea National Opera; and Seeing Through Babel at the Asia Society in New York, an installation where one can walk into and around the piece. Don’t miss this truly monumental musical and artistic collaboration that promises an uplifting and meaningful celebration for our 2020 holiday season. This free and festive mid-winter online experience will be broadcast at 6pm PST / 9pm EST on December 21, 2020. To view The Light of Hope Returning on December 21, go to www.TheLightOfHopeReturning.com A preview video is also available on the website homepage.