Past Performances

 “Wine from Ivory”: The Niles-Merton Songs

One of the greatest Christian spiritual writers of the 20th century, Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, wrote numerous poems on spiritual devotion, romantic love, grief, and the beauties of nature. Several of these were set to music by the American folk composer, John Jacob Niles. In this lecture-recital, a brief presentation on Merton's life and thought is given, followed by a performance of eight of their songs.

View the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAFrtbEGVGU&t=6s

The Desire for Solitude: The Secret Poems of Irish Monks

Medieval monks worked long hours in silence copying and illustrating manuscripts.  But what happened when their minds began to wander?  Composer Samuel Barber has set to music real marginalia from Irish monastic texts between the 8th and 13th centuries.  Hear Barber’s songs in a live performance and learn more about the lyrics and the lives of the monks who wrote them.

View the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZWXRsWmoPo