Commissioned by the Bayerische Staatsopera.

Concert Ayre for mezzo soprano and chamber orchestra to the poem by Thomas Nashe (1600)

First performed at the Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany during the Munich opera Festival by the Orchestra Academy of the Bayerische Staatsorchester.

Tara Erraught, mezzo; Constantinos Carydis, conductor

A Litany in Time of Plague (1600) 



Adieu, farewell, earth’s bliss; 

This world uncertain is. 

Fond are life’s lustful joys; 

Death proves them all but toys. 

None from his darts can fly. 



I am sick, I must die. 

Lord, have mercy on us! 



Rich men, trust not in wealth; 

Gold cannot buy you health. 

Physic himself must fade, 

All things to end are made, 

The plague full swift goes by. 



I am sick, I must die. 

Lord, have mercy on us! 



Beauty is but a flower 

Which wrinkles will devour. 

Brightness falls from the air. 

Queens have died young and fair; 

Dust hath closed Helen’s eye. 



I am sick, I must die. 

Lord, have mercy on us! 



Strength stoops unto the grave, 

Worms feed on Hector brave. 

Swords may not fight with fate. 

Earth still holds ope' her gate; 

“Come, come!” the bells do cry. 



I am sick, I must die. 

Lord, have mercy on us! 



Wit, with his wantonness, 

Tasteth Death’s bitterness. 

Hell’s executioner 

Hath no ears for to hear 

What vain art can reply. 



I am sick, I must die. 

Lord, have mercy on us! 



Haste, therefore, each degree, 

To welcome destiny; 

Heaven is our heritage, 

Earth but a player’s stage. 

Mount we unto the sky. 



I am sick, I must die. 

Lord, have mercy on us! 



Thomas Nashe (1567- 1601)