One morning, the birds were in their glory: singing, chirping, and busy with their daily activities. I live in an area of Connecticut that is blessed with much beautiful greenery and wildlife. Long ago, I looked at this photograph of an abandoned canoe, and the first thing that came to mind was the tranquility of an abandoned garden on a steamy day, much like the one which is the subject of my operetta, Luminescence, an interpretation of the medieval French epyllion, Roman de la Rose. Below is an excerpt from one of the recitatives, 'Morning.'
Etang de Corot, Ville-d'Avray, 1900-1910
Morning
(from my operetta, “Luminescence”)
The wind gracefully embraces
feathered wings of russet, crimson and blue
that brush the highest branches of clustered trees.
Each bough gambols a synchronized dance
in rhythm with the singing birds in flight.
Their gaze intakes the scene below:
A cooling brook, purling through the twisted,
scented undergrowth, creating a reflective ribbon,
adorning this Eden with an elegant, colorful bouquet
embellishes fertile banks with mystical brilliance.
Soothing liquid-echoes honor an infinite presence.
Morning dew trickles over folded petals
and drifts down each stiffened stalk
to reach deeply into the nutritious soil.
Leaves unfurl to frame delicate flowers.
They gracefully position themselves
to receive pollen for the creation of new life
and shimmer in the morning’s glow.
Each flower silently waits
for that glorious moment of sweet surrender
in fulfillment of her quest.
As the flowers open their petals,
they attract the arrival of winged suitors,
destined to pollinate their yearning pistils.
© Jeanne I. Lakatos
I extend much gratitude to the following brilliant musicians, who have transposed an Irish melody compiled by Sydney Owenson (in 1804) into 3 of 5 musical genres for this operetta: Dr. Marjorie Callaghan (medieval) and Mr. Daniel Kean (baroque and classical).
