50 MONTGOMERY + BEETHOVEN NO

placed third in that competition, which helped launch the careers of Gustavo Dudamel, Benjamin Shwartz, David Danzmayr, and many more.

“It was a surprise: ‘Wow, this is a very high level,’” Mena remembers of her competition performance. “I had a good feeling about her from the beginning.”

It’s fitting that this year’s May Festival brings together two very different guest conductors: one a towering figure in the classical music establishment (Adams), the other a fresh-faced rising star (Wincor).

Commissioned to commemorate 100 years of women’s suffrage in the United States, Jessie Montgomery’s I Have Something to Say—which, along with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and excerpts from Fidelio, concludes the Festival— hosts a similar communion between past and future by imagining a meeting between the august abolitionist Sojourner Truth and contemporary climate activist Greta Thunberg. Like El Niño, I Have Something to Say weaves a narrative tapestry from many sonic strands: mixed chorus, children’s chorus and orchestra, who are tasked with some light stage direction (see sidebar on p. 13). (Think Haydn’s “Farewell” Symphony, but set in an unspecified tribunal chamber.)

It’s not every day a premiere is nestled next to Beethoven’s towering choral-orchestral masterpiece, which is often content to occupy an entire program. But Mena can’t imagine a better fit than Montgomery’s piece, nor a more timely message.

“There are many years between [Truth and Thunberg], but for me, their message is potent, especially alongside Beethoven 9 and Fidelio,” he says. “They talk about freedom; they talk about rights. This work really celebrates the elder and younger generations of women who have fought and continue to fight the ongoing struggle for us and all people to be free.”

In that struggle, and all others, may the last two years be our guide: Less fretting about the “should,” more seizing upon the “could.” And “did.”

Katharina Wincor. Credit: Lawrence Jenkins

ANNOUNCING… MAY FESTIVAL MiNiS May Festival MiNiS is an exciting new program for our youngest singers! Each year we will celebrate singing, rhythm, movement, and joy with teachers and musicians. The 45-minute lessons align with Ohio State Education Standards and are a lot of fun! Our 2022 MiNiS is IN PERSON at Music Hall on May 21. This year, “We Care” about plants growing and healthy living! Registration starts May 1 for ages 0–12. Visit our website for more information and videos of last year’s event: bit.ly/2022MFMiNiS.