Composer

:

Samuel Barber

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1952 - 1953

Average_duration

:

3:19

Saint Ita's Vision, Op. 29/3 is a choral work composed by Samuel Barber in 1956. The piece is based on a poem by Florence Wilkinson, which tells the story of Saint Ita, an Irish saint who had a vision of the infant Jesus. The work is scored for mixed choir, with a duration of approximately 6 minutes. The piece was premiered on May 12, 1956, by the Schola Cantorum of New York, conducted by Hugh Ross. It has since become a staple of the choral repertoire, and is frequently performed by choirs around the world. Saint Ita's Vision is divided into three movements. The first movement, "As Christ was a-walking," is a gentle and contemplative setting of the opening lines of the poem. The choir sings in unison, with occasional harmonies and dissonances adding depth and texture to the music. The second movement, "Saint Ita had a vision," is the centerpiece of the work. It begins with a solo soprano singing the words "I would in that sweet bosom be," accompanied by a simple and haunting melody in the choir. As the piece progresses, the music becomes more complex and dissonant, reflecting the intensity of Saint Ita's vision. The final movement, "And He showed me a little thing," is a return to the gentle and contemplative mood of the opening. The choir sings in unison, with occasional harmonies and dissonances adding depth and texture to the music. The piece ends with a quiet and peaceful resolution, as the choir sings the final words of the poem: "And He showed me a little thing, the size of a hazel nut, lying in the palm of my hand." Overall, Saint Ita's Vision is a beautiful and moving work that showcases Barber's skill as a composer. The music is simple yet profound, and the text is both poetic and deeply spiritual. It is a testament to the enduring power of choral music, and a fitting tribute to the life and legacy of Saint Ita.

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