THREE LADIES BESIDE THE SEA

Text by Rhoda Levine

Cantata for soprano, two violins, baroque cello (5 strings), harpsichord and theorbo

(2018)

Versions for high voice, or low voice and piano also available

17'

Three Ladies Beside the Sea was commissioned by Sarasa, a period instrument ensemble based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for their 20th anniversary season. The text is a slightly abridged setting of a 1963 children’s book of the same name by Rhoda Levine, a notable opera director, and a great friend for over thirty years. The original book had illustrations by Edward Gorey. Rhoda has now retired, and as we never collaborated on the stage, this was the next best thing.

First performed March 2 2019 by Kristen Watson (soprano) and Sarasa at Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, Cambridge, MA.


World premiere of "Three Ladies Beside the Sea" by Julian Grant. Recorded live March 3, 2019, First Parish in Lexington. Kristen Watson, soprano Christina Day Martinson, Jesse Irons, violins Jennifer Morsches, cello Michael Leopold, theorbo John McKean, harpsichord Footage from "Directing Rhoda: The Arts of Living," courtesy of David Williams