A Journey to Ancient Egypt in Eternal Gates

"Emory University Symphony Orchestra and Emory University Chorus"

Hear the sounds of an ancient spiritual journey in the Emory University Symphony Orchestra (EUSO) and the Emory University Chorus' world premiere of Eternal Gates, April 15-16, 2011 at the Schwartz Center of Performing Arts.

Composed by Professor of Composition John Anthony Lennon, this dramatic work is based on the Egyptian Book of the Dead, ancient funeral texts dating back 3,500 years. The Book of the Dead describes beliefs of the creation, good and evil; and offers a guide for this life's journey to the next. Composed of twelve musical vignettes,Eternal Gates follows the journey of the god Orsiris and his wife (and sister) Isis through the violent netherworld, across the threshold of life and death, and ultimately to eternal peace. The one-hour program is sung in ancient Egyptian.

In preparation for the premiere, Lennon worked with Chorus Director Eric Nelson and EUSO Conductor and fellow composer Richard Prior, who will lead both performances. The Eternal Gates premiere is this year's collaboration between the ensembles, representing 275 students and members of the Emory community.

Nelson reflects on the collaborative opportunity, saying, "Though the true genesis comes from the composer, of course, the chorus has been given the chance to 'create' this piece, which will exist in performance for the very first time."

"Amduat of Tanetshedkhons, Dynasty 21, 1069-945 BC, Papyrus, pigment. 2005.7.3
Gift of Anne Cox Chambers"

While the primary characters sing solos, duets, a trio, and quartets, the chorus plays a unique role—taking on the voices of the gods. "The voices are meant to be larger than mortal individuals. The Egyptian character names and texts are long phrases that would be impossible to sing by an individual," says Lennon.

The orchestra provides interludes and accompaniment with string and percussion instruments. Musical scholars do not know what ancient Egyptian music sounded like, offering Lennon an opportunity to create a personal and unique tonal system.

Eternal Gates is the first major musical piece to be dedicated entirely to theBook of the Dead. Lennon studied the texts over a number of years; the universal themes of mortality and life were a rich source of inspiration for his creative work. "These ancient people had the same existential questions and desires that we struggle with today," says Lennon.

The Emory University Symphony Orchestra and University Chorus premiere John Anthony Lennon's Eternal Gates, Friday, April 15 – Saturday April 16, 2011, 8 p.m. at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Emerson Concert Hall, 1700 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta, 30322. The performances are free and open to the public. For details, call the Arts at Emory box office at 404-727-5050, email boxoffice@emory.edu, or visit www.arts.emory.edu

By Jessica Cook
Senior Editor
Emory College Center for Creativity & Arts