Gentle Lady, Do Not Sing

For SATB and English Horn

Commissioned by The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin.

Included on the Choral Scholars University College Dublin’s album Chamber Music by James Joyce, Volume I, featuring the Solstice Ensemble and Desmond Earley, released by Signum Classics (UK) on September 20, 2024.

A setting of the James Joyce poem.

In February 2020 Desmond Earley, as part of a Choral Scholars project, commissioned African-American composer Damien Geter (USA) to set the James Joyce poem ‘Gentle Lady, Do Not Sing Sad Songs’ for chamber choir and cor anglais obbligato. Geter is a recognised advocate for social justice in the United States. An invitation has been extended by Desmond Earley for Geter to come to UCD and join us in Ireland to work with our students on his compositions, and to participate in a panel discussion about social justice, promoting anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion. This visit will take place sometime in the future.