Kira McGirr, mezzo-soprano; Lara Troyer, soprano; Peter Wright, tenor; Randall Fusco, piano

Recorded June 2, 2023, LIVE in performance at Drinko Hall on the campus of Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, as part of the SheScores2023 Music Series.

Thanks to the Local 4 Music Fund and Amber Rogers. Steve Savanyu, recording engineer.

Buried Light was inspired by the painting, “Landscape of Thorns” by Michael Brill and Safdar Abidi. Buried Light brings forth the neglected radioactive waste that has poisoned our lands, water, and our people. The painting is warning to the travelers 10,000 years into the future when all linguistic forms of communication could potentially be rendered useless. The field is filled with gigantic thorns to ward off the visitors from horrific effects that the exposed nuclear waste may cause upon them. The message written along with the work is to be displayed along the ledges of the thorn field, further signifying the dangers of the area. If nothing is done to prevent this monster from awakening, we will not only bring our civilization to its end, but our entire planet into demise with our own hands. 

The toxic waste is personified by the mezzo-soprano who portrays its awakening consciousness and ascension into the light of the world, which signifies the eventual decimation that chemical wastes
will cause. Pitches D, Eb, F, and A are used to represent Uranium-235 (used for nuclear power plants and bombs) and the atomic number of uranium, 92.

Buried Light by JaeEun Schermerhorn

Kira McGirr, mezzo-soprano; fixed electronic track

Composer's notes: In September 2022, I was struck with the idea of writing a song cycle from the point of view of the world’s most unloved creatures—in a way, giving them a chance to tell their tale, and perhaps gain the sympathy and understanding of a human audience. The second movement, “Silverfish,” is inspired by my own experiences with the critters; here the singer joyfully celebrates the exhilarating chaos of eating books and crawling around in the walls, while also expressing the insects’ wonder and reverence toward the immense landscape of the apartment. The silverfishes’ diet of books and scores comes through in the form of literary and musical fragments throughout. 

Recorded June 2, 2023, LIVE in performance at Drinko Hall on the campus of Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, as part of the SheScores2023 Music Series.

Thanks to the Local 4 Music Fund and Amber Rogers. Steve Savanyu, recording engineer.

The Maligned: II. Silverfish by Emma Cardon

Kira McGirr, mezzo-soprano; fixed electronic track

Composer's notes: In September 2022, I was struck with the idea of writing a song cycle from the point of view of the world’s most unloved creatures—in a way, giving them a chance to tell their tale, and perhaps gain the sympathy and understanding of a human audience... In the third movement, the infamous “zombie fungus” Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spins a redemptive vision that doesn’t quite convince—here the singer addresses the possessed ant, introducing itself as a friend who will remove the anxiety of choice and responsibility. Despite cordyceps’ messianic self-evaluation, it ultimately comes off as sinister and unnerving, ending the cycle on a note of uncertainty.

Recorded June 2, 2023, LIVE in performance at Drinko Hall on the campus of Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, as part of the SheScores2023 Music Series.

Thanks to the Local 4 Music Fund and Amber Rogers. Steve Savanyu, recording engineer.

The Maligned: III. Cordyceps by Emma Cardon

Kira McGirr, mezzo-soprano
Adam Whiting, piano

Recorded live January 25, 2024 at Disciples Christian Church, Cleveland Heights, OH. Austin McMaken, Audio Engineer

"Their Land Brought Forth Frogs" from Israel in Egypt by GF Handel

Kira McGirr, mezzo-soprano

Recorded live January 25, 2024 at Disciples Christian Church, Cleveland Heights, OH. Austin McMaken, Audio Engineer

The Maligned: III. Cordyceps by Emma Cardon

Kira McGirr

Related tracks