The Amnesty Cantata was Emily's first commissioned work and was inspired by the vibrant local Amnesty group and the wealth of musical talent in the area.
The Cantata is in five sections, with words by Emily
except where she has used the words of Amnesty
prisoners themselves. It juxtaposes the cry of the
incarcerated prisoner ('the door slams and there is
Silence' with the people's decision whether
or not to write an Amnesty letter ('Will I, would
I, could I?'). Following 'Pen paper and
envelope' the results of this action are shown
in the baritone solo aria 'It supressed our
suffering' where the words are those of a
released prisoner. The concluding chorus with all
performers uses Desmond Tutu's words 'Goodness is
stronger than evil'.
VIEW ALL
THE TEXTS HERE
Silence.
Soloist: The door slams and there is
...Silence
Choir: Silence, Silence, nothing there, just
pure solitude
Soloist: Isolation invades the mind,
Desolation destroys the soul
Choir and soloist: Silence, silence, nothing
there just pure solitude
My name is one of thousands, my country could be
yours
My language universal, used to defend a cause
Soloist: The door slams and there is.. Silence
Would I.
Choir: Would I, could I,will I will I? Will I
write a letter
I'll send a letter, I'll send a card
I'll send an email and fill it with words
You are not alone
Soloist: A letter... A letter... A letter...
Breaks the silence
A letter, a card, a single note
Sent by a stranger, sent by a stranger
Letters are noted, letters are seen
They show the world is watching, they show concern is
real
Choir: You are not alone
Pen, Paper and Envelope
This concludes with the soloist singing; "They would
and they will defend people"
(Words of Igor Sutyagin, a released Amnesty adopted
prisoner, speaking after his release).
Choir: Pen,paper and envelope
Old fashioned weapon of words
Cards, candles and emails
Modern day ploughshares from swords
Soloist: They would and they will defend people
It Supressed our Suffering
(Words of Dr Honor Uthman Salah, wife of an Amnesty
adopted prisoner).
Soloist: A letter broke the silence
It suppressed our suffering and swept fallen tears from
our cheeks
Goodness is Stronger than Evil
(Words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu on his
retirement).
Choir and soloist: Goodness is stronger than
Evil
Love is stronger than hate
Light is stronger that darkness
Life is stronger than death