Ars Nova presents 'Carbon' from Heather Christian's 'Oratorio for Living Things'

Ars Nova presents
"Carbon"
from Heather Christian's "Oratorio for Living Things"

In the early days of quarantine, as we all tried to adapt to the new world around us, the company of our suspended production of "Oratorio for Living Things" came together (at a distance) to record a song from the show, each in their isolated locations. "Oratorio for Living Things" contemplates the mysteries of human experience set against the vast scope of cosmic time — a fitting and beautiful undertaking in this period of change and transformation. Until we can come together to experience Heather’s stunning music in person, please enjoy this gift from the company to all of us. 

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Music, Lyrics & Vocal Arrangements Heather Christian
Video Direction Lee Sunday Evans & Kristen Robinson
Video Editing Tim Chafee
Video Sound Mixing Marián Gómez Villota
Music Direction Ben Moss
Orchestrations Heather Christian, Fraser A. Campbell, Laura Dadap, Fred Epstein, Camelia Hartman, Ben Moss & Peter Wise
Latin Consultant & Translator Greg Taubman

A special thanks to everyone who contributed videos from outside the performing company, Liza Couser, Mac Ingram, Sarah Ivins, Jes Levine, Emily Shooltz, Greg Taubman & Casey York.

Featuring Ryan Amador, Kirstyn Cae Ballard, Christian Brailsford, Fraser A. Campbell, Laura Dadap, Sean Donovan, Carla Duren, Brian Flores, Odetta Hartman, Barrie Lobo McLain, Ben Moss, Onyie Nwachukwu, Gerianne Pérez, Ashley Pérez Flanagan, Mona Seyed-Bolorforosh, Sam Weber, Alan Wiggins, Peter Wise
Music Direction Ben Moss
Scenic Design Kristen Robinson
Costume Design Márion Talán De La Rosa
Lighting Design Jeanette Oi-suk Yew
Sound Design Nick Kourtides
Orchestrations Heather Christian, Fraser A. Campbell, Laura Dadap, Fred Epstein, Camellia Hartman, Ben Moss & Peter Wise
Latin Consultant & Translator Greg Taubman
Casting Director Henry Russell Bergstein, Csa
Production Stage Manager Joseph Fernandez, Jr.
Assistant Stage Manager Sydney Gustafson
Associate Music Director Jacklyn Riha

Oratorio for Living Things is an Ars Nova Commission.
Presented in association with Rosalind Productions Inc.

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Ars Nova presents
Heather Christian's
ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS
Directed by Lee Sunday Evans

In this sweeping world premiere, composer Heather Christian imbues the classical oratorio with blues, gospel, jazz and soul. The result is an in-the-round fusion of music and theater, staged by Obie Award-winning director Lee Sunday Evans and featuring eighteen virtuosic singers and instrumentalists. Both otherworldly and achingly intimate, Oratorio for Living Things heralds Christian as an undeniable artistic force — and inspires us to reflect on the mystery of human experience, set against the vast scope of cosmic time.

[tattenbaumfine]

So grateful that I saw this live. This video is gorgeous. Got to see this show right before everything closed down.

[margaretferguson]

It's beautiful and powerful. I hope we WILL get to see it live.

[ravensnook]

Wow, that was powerful. I am so sorry I didn't get to see this on stage (I had tickets!).

[irisheyes]

Absolutely would love to see this live on stage. Great job putting this all together. Beautiful.

[bnthonyaanda]

Is there going to be a cast recording soon? I can’t stop thinking about Oratorio for Living Things 😍

[festrocious]

This is so beautiful. Any chance of an online production that we could buy tickets to?

[aehnyful]

I’m so grateful for this beautiful gift. Thank you. Could you please add captions to the video, or a transcript in the description, for accessibility?