This poem was commissioned by Prof. Bob Demaree and The Heartland Festival in Platteville, Wisconsin, to commemorate the return of a beloved Shakespeare festival in a new incarnation.  I chose an older form, in this case a Shakespearian sonnet, to hearken back to the past days of the festival, and as a reverent nod to the Bard himself.  The poem reflects an Elizabethan’s confusion about artistic inspiration.  The first quatrain recognizes that artists are indeed inspired; although, as the second quatrain observes, that inspiration does not flow freely through all artists.  The third quatrain shows the confusion between traditional forms of inspiration, namely St. Cecelia and the classical Muses, and more tangible forms.  In the case of this Elizabethan, his inspiration comes in the form of the person and patronage of Queen Elizabeth I herself, whose favorite epithet, Fair Oriana, is revealed in the first letters of each line.  I deviated from the traditional form to add an extra-metrical fifteenth line, “Long Live Fair Oriana”–a device common among Elizabethan madrigal composers–although the poem would work without this addition.

Knowing that this poem would be set by a composer for chorus had a profound impact on its creation.  The sonnet form itself is very musical, combining the sing-songy iambic pentameter with a rotating rhyme scheme which allows for a great deal of compositional flexibility.  I chose words and word phrases specifically for their “singability”, thinking ever about melodic line and possibilities for part writing or musical word painting.  Having worked with composer Eric Whitacre before, I was familiar with his style and the nature of his creative process.  His suggestions and compositional needs helped to shape the poem into its final form.

Since its premiere it has become a popular choral work, especially in Britain.  Her Sacred Spirit Soars appears on the Grammy-Nominated recording Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other Choral Works (Polyphony, Stephen Layton, cond. Hyperion Records ©2006) and on Eric Whitacre: The Complete Acapella Works (BYU Singers, Ronald Staheli,cond. Arsis Records ©2002)

SONNET: Her Sacred Spirit Soars

©2001 by Charles Anthony Silvestri

Her sacred spirit soars o’er gilded spires,

And breathes into creative fires a force;

  In well-tuned chants and chords of countless choirs

   Lives ever her immortal shadowed source.

From age to age the roll of poets grows;

And yet, a lonely few are laurel-crowned,

  In whose sweet words her inspiration shows,

   Revealing insights deep and thoughts profound.

O shall Cecelia, or shall Goddess Muse

Reach then to me across eternal skies?

  Is heaven’s quick’ning fire but a ruse,

   Abiding rather here before mine eyes?

    Nearer than I dream’d is She whose fame

     All poets sing, whose glory all proclaim:

“LONG LIVE FAIR ORIANA!

Go Back to Poetry Main Page

Go Back to Home Page