A new 50-minute choral work specially commissioned from British composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad (pictured above) will be premiered at Worcester Cathedral on 25 April.
Five Beacons of Light: A Cantata for the Sea has been commissioned by professional choir Sonoro as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations and will be performed by Youth Choral Worcs (from five local schools), Sonoro, and the English Symphony Orchestra.
The cantata draws inspiration from four iconic rock lighthouses in Scotland, the Scilly Isles, Alderney and Northern Ireland. These ‘impossible houses,’ battered by wind and waves, are feats of vision and endurance. Built to protect sailors from the dangers of the sea, they stand as monuments to human ingenuity and resolve.
In Di Sherlock’s vivid libretto, their histories and associated stories of these ‘impossible houses’ come alive with their vision, bravery, and resilience echoing to the present day.
At the heart of the work are the voices of the young singers who serve as a new ‘fifth beacon of light’, celebrating the human spirit as a creative force and guiding us towards a more responsible relationship with our oceans.The piece explores the poignant role reversal in our relationship with the natural world. It contrasts the historical purpose of these lighthouses to safeguard humanity from the perils of the sea with the modern reality that the sea itself is now in danger from humanity due to man-made climate change.
Composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad says: ‘My music has been described as ‘equal parts humour and reverence’, and I can’t think of a better description of my approach to composing this piece: amidst the despair, there must always be hope.
Following its premiere in Worcester, Five Beacons of Light travels to the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall for a performance in the open-air Minack Theatre, with further UK performances anticipated through 2026 and 2027.
For many of the young people involved with this project, it will be their first experience performing alongside professional musicians in a major new work.
As librettist Di Sherlock (pictured) says: ‘I hope the work will inspire a love for our waters and the creatures who live in them, allowing their voices not just to be heard but taken to heart.’
Find out more at https://sonorochoir.com/sonoro-concerts-events/