Dives and Lazarus (2023)
(A Parable for Voices)

A Parable for Voices

Text from Traditional, Biblical and other literary sources

Dives and Lazarus: A Parable for Voices was commissioned by Chamber Choir Ireland with funding from the Arts Council/an Chomhairle Ealaíon, with additional support from the PRS Foundation.

The first performance of Dives and Lazarus: A Parable for Voices was given at The Whyte Recital Hall, Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin on 11 November 2023. The UK premiere was given at St Thomas' Church, Belfast on 12 November 2023

Note: This work was commissioned by Chamber Choir Ireland and written for the sixteen voices of that group. It features four soloists and an ensemble of twelve other voices. At the discretion of the music director these may be the same soloists in each movement, or they may change between movements. With some simple editing in the chorus part, it is also possible for the work to be performed by eight solo voices. Alternatively, a larger chorus can be employed with four guest soloists in traditional oratorio style.

Part 1 Setting the Scene

1. Dives and His Rich Friends (Luke 16:19-31)

2. Chorale: (Child Ballad)

3. Narrative with accompaniment- (Herman Melville Moby Dick)

4. (Chorale Interlude) (Child Ballad)

5. Narrative - Story-Teller (Adapted from Herman Melville Moby Dick)

6. Dogs' Chorus (Child Ballad)

Part 2 The Death of Lazarus

7. Narrative (Child Ballad)

8. Lament (from Shakespeare: Henry V- Act 2, Sc3)

9. Coda Chorale Part 3 The Death of Dives

10. Chorus of Damnation (Child Ballad)

11. Dialogue (From: Heinrich Schütz - Vater Abraham, erbarme dich mein SWV 477)

12. Bewailment and Final Chorus (R L Stevenson/Heraclitus/R W Emerson)

Coda (Melville)