One Voice Chorus and other local musicians including Jenny Chen will perform the AIDS requiem, “When We No Longer Touch,” on March 25 and 26 at Myers Park Baptist Church’s Heaton Hall.
The piece, composed by Kristopher Anthony, uses poetry and the traditional Latin requiem mass texts to chronicle a journey through the stages of grief recovery (Denial, Isolation, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance and Hope).
One Voice describes the piece as an “incredibly moving work that is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human heart and soul.” It is based on Peter McWilliams’ poems from the book “How to Survive the Loss of Love.”
“I find the acceptance text (and the accompanying music) to be the most powerful,” one listener once commented. “The poet is right, there is a time when in grief and heartache that you, paradoxically, don’t want to give up your pain, because it is the depth of your pain that reminds you of the height of your previous joy.”
The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets can be purchased at onevoicechorus.com. During the concert, the audience will be encouraged to text donations to the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN). Free HIV testing will be available after the concert. : :
— Compiled by Matt Comer. One Voice Chorus’ Gerald Gurss contributed.
This is some of the most moving music you will hear in the “LGBTQA” literature. We have an extremely talented chamber orchestra and guest soloist, local soprano, Jenny Chen.