It’s hard to believe, but it’s been almost 20 years since we were shocked to hear of the brutal killing of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Grammy Award-winning conductor Craig Hella Johnson, who remembers exactly where he was when he first heard of this unspeakable horror, has composed a 90-minute oratorio/choral drama celebrating Shepard’s young life. Considering Matthew Shepard will be performed on Friday and Saturday at the Ford Theatre.
Johnson will lead the performance from the piano and the performers include Conspirare choir, an ensemble of eight musicians and projections.
Each performance will have a different line-up of guest performers:
June 15: Metropolitan Master Chorale, Phyllis Bailey Brooks & Friends, Tonality and USC Chamber Singers
June 16: Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, Trans Chorus of Los Angeles and VOX Femina
On Wednesday we will have an interview with Johnson about his work and the reasons he felt compelled to write this piece.