In 2014, an algal bloom in Lake Erie poisoned the drinking water of the 400,000 residents of Toledo, OH. "Lake Erie is in trouble, and getting worse by the year," says the New York Times. The dire situation of pollution in this Great Lake is the inspiration for Ms. Brouwer's new work, Voice of the Lake, which will be premiered in Cleveland on November 12. Brouwer has always been keenly passionate about the environment, and this interest often informs her compositions. In an interview in Cleveland Classical she said, "The creation of the work started with my personal wish for Lake Erie to be clean."

Voice of the Lake is an oratorio for vocal soloists, choirs, and chamber orchestra that brings to life the ongoing environmental concerns that are affecting Lake Erie: a recreational treasure, expansive natural habitat, important economic engine, major shipping channel and the source of drinking water for 11 million people. A musical vista of nature and the lake, the lyrics are by Margaret Brouwer and the Cleveland poet David Adams, with additional text gleaned from public record transcripts including Congresswoman, Marcia Fudge and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with a short video by Joshua Lipton.

The world premiere of Voice of the Lake is on November 12, 2017 at 3:00 pm at the Breen Center for the Performing Arts (2008 W 30th St., Cleveland, OH). Tickets are $20 ($10 students and seniors) and are available through EventBrite. The performance features the Blue Streak Ensemble, the Oberlin Musical Union, and the Cleveland Institute of Music Children's Choir, with soloists Angela Mitchell (soprano), Merav Eldan (mezzo), Brian Skoog (tenor) and Bryant Bush (bass), conducted by Cleveland Opera Theater Director Domenico Boyagian.

Leading up to the premiere are several events around the Cleveland area to inform the community about the issues surrounding Lake Erie, and present poetry inspired by its grandeur and beauty. 

Oct. 1, 2:00 pm at the Cleveland Institute of Music (Room 217) - open rehearsal of Voice of the Lake. (free admission)

Oct. 21, 2:00 pm at the Main Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave, Cleveland OH) - panel discussion on water quality featuring experts in the field. (free admission)

Oct. 28, 2:00 pm at Lucy's Sweet Surrender Bakery (20314 Chagrin Blvd, Shaker Heights OH) - Poetry Reading about Lake Erie and its rivers by Cleveland poet, David Adams. (free admission)

and, the world premiere performance:

Nov. 12, 2017, 3:00 pm at Breen Center for the Performing Arts (2008 W 30th St., Cleveland, OH).Tickets: $20 ($10 students and seniors) and are available through EventBrite

Click here for more information.

Location:

There are two buildings for the Main Library. We are in the main building at Superior and 3rd Ave.

address:  325 Superior Ave.

Go to 3rd floor to the Digital Public Library

We are in the Digital Classroom

PARKING:

Street parking:

There is no meter charge on Saturdays, but it is sometimes difficult to find an open spot.

Parking Garages ($5 unless there is a special event going on):

There are 2 near-by Parking Garages:

1. On Rockwell Street behind the library, between 9th and 6th Street

2. Across the street from the library on Superior