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Considering Matthew Shepard
100-105'
English
Synopsis
A three-part fusion oratorio that serves as a musical response to the murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay student in Wyoming. It is structured as a modern-day Passion, telling his story from childhood, through the hate crime that led to his death in 1998, to a final epilogue of healing and hope
Composer
Craig Hella Johnson (1961-)
Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright
Craig Hella Johnson, Michael Dennis Browne, Lesléa Newman, and sources including Matthew Shepard’s personal journal and interviews with his parents
Year of composition/publication / premiere
2016
Genre
Other:
LGBTQAI+ category
Gay
Level of centrality
Main character
Characters
Matthew Shepard/ Choir
Voice type
Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Tenor, Contralto
Pronouns
Publisher / Rights holder
Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
Where to buy / access the work
Performance rights
For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.
Official website
Audio recording(s)
Video performance(s)
Keywords
Matthew Shepard, Hate crime, Laramie, Wyoming, Oratorio, Passion, Conspirare, Social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, American choral music