Mighty Fortress at Old South Church

Featuring Boston Children’s Chorus; Ariadne Greif, soprano; Clare McNamara, mezzo; Brian Giebler, tenor, and Paul Max Tipton, bass | Curated by Alex Fortes Musical Program: inti figgis-vizueta: Talamh (land) for string orchestra Johann Sebastian Bach: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God), BWV 80 Julius Eastman: Gay Guerrilla A Far Cry invites you to a celebration of resilience inside the soaring sanctuary of Old South Church in a collaboration with Boston Children’s Chorus and four phenomenal vocal soloists. “A mighty fortress God is still, a sturdy shield and weapon; he'll keep us clear from all the ill that hath us now o'ertaken.” Martin Luther’s words and hymnal melody were the source materials for both Bach and Eastman in the works on this program, for Bach in 1723 as a devout Lutheran, for Eastman in 1979 as a composer hoping to draw on a similar fighting spirit. In his words: “a guerilla is someone who is sacrificing their life for a point of view. I use the word ‘guerrilla,’ in the hopes that I might be one if called upon.” The program opens with the depiction of a foundation and refuge of another sort. inti figgis-vizueta describes Talamh as a sonic landscape, “a way for me to connect to home and recall many of the rich and magical mountains, streams, and forests I walked through with my papa, Peter, in Ireland since very young.” Performed by the combined forces of orchestra, chorus, and soloists, Mighty Fortress celebrates the strength we summon when our communities stand together. Join us for our biggest collaboration of the season.