About This Exhibit
Happy Earth Month! This exhibit celebrates nature, sustainability, and the ways in which we can make a difference through performance and art. The resources in this exhibit include musical scores depicting the natural world, play scripts that tackle important ethical questions about how we interact with the environment, informational texts about activism in dance and choreography, and many other topical materials.
Pictures of the Earth Month Exhibit
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Flat Case
Flat Case
Featured Items
A Song to Save the Salish Sea: Musical Performance as Environmental Activism by Call Number: ML3799.3 .P43S6 2016There has historically been a rich culture of environmental activism in the Cascadia region of the United States. “A Song to Save the Salish Sea” uncovers some of the methods in which various ecologically conscious musical groups (such as the Raging Grannies, Idle No More, Towers and Trees, and Irthlingz) have reached their audiences, successfully called listeners to action, and made a difference.
Sustainable Theatre: Theory, Context, Practice by Call Number: PN2053 .T39 2023“Sustainable Theatre” is a comprehensive overview of how environmentalism intersects with theatre and all performing arts. The author includes case studies, interviews, and other research spanning almost 30 years that all help illustrate the issues facing the industry, as well as the steps that professionals are taking in order to address them.
Theatre and Environment by Call Number: PN1650.E26 A54 2019Vicky Angelaki’s Theater and Environment
Angelaki investigates the relationship between the environment and theater, evaluating the impact productions have on sustainability and ecological footprints left behind. Encouraging consciousness and change, Angelaki urges performers and theater-makers to evaluate their environmental morals, production waste, and responsibility to our Earth.
Performance and Ecology: What Can Theatre Do? by Call Number: PN1631 .P474 2018In light of the climate crisis, pollution, and mass extinction, theater publications and productions have begun to overlap into the environmental humanities. Lavery consults researchers and theater practitioners to explore and address the pressing question: what can theater do ecologically?
(Re)Positioning Site Dance by Call Number: GV1595 .B37 2019Site Dance refers to a dance performance designed to be held in a specific location that will complement the work, typically in a non-traditional space. The authors explore the history and contemporary execution of site dance through ecological, sociocultural, and political lenses.
Futures of Dance Studies by Call Number: GV1589 .F88 2020This collection of 28 essays delves into the study of dance and takes an interdisciplinary approach to advocating for the importance of dance. The many authors represented in this anthology provide a variety of perspectives and explore a wide range of topics.
Dance in a World of Change by Call Number: 306.4846 D195“Dance in a World of Change” presents dance as a means of exploring social, political, and cultural concepts. It considers international perspectives, as well as how globalization has shaped dance so far and how it may continue to do so in the future.
Actors and Onlookers: Theater and Twentieth-Century Scientific View of Nature by Call Number: 792.0150973 SCH56ASchmidt evaluates trends in a postmodern context in both science and theater, comparing where they overlap. Schmidt finds that all aspect of modern theater are impacted by contemporary scientific thoughts on nature. Pondering the influence of Aristotle on Western theater in comparison to the theories of John Cage and impact on avant-garde theater, Schmidt investigates these concepts and connects them to the evolving scientific notions of our natural world.
Music and the Skillful Listener by Call Number: ML390 .V66 2013“Music and the Skillful Listener” details the lives of nine women composers throughout American history and explores how they sought to understand and depict nature with their music. Additionally, the author draws connections between listening, marginalization, and the compositional process.
The Heretic by Call Number: PR6052.E18 H47 2013Professor Diane Cassell struggles with the moral implications of her job as an Earth Sciences professional. While the University wants to downplay the relevance of her research findings about global warming, the on-campus Green Activists are pressuring her to publish the work immediately. This play explores scientific integrity, the politics of environmentalism, and the ethical responsibilities of academic institutions.
A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick by Call Number: PS3553.O724 C665 2010Abebe is a young man from Ethiopia who has traveled to the United States to pursue his two passions: water conservation and Christianity. Abebe’s interactions with his Maryland host family illustrate the varied perspectives on environmentalism, social justice, and religion that exist throughout the world.
Le Sacre de Printemps: Tableaux de la Russie Paienne en Deux Parties = The Rite of Spring: Pictures of Pagan Russia in Two Parts by Call Number: M1520 S9V4B6Stravinsky’s most famous ballet for its controversial premier, choreography, and experimental composing, The Rite of Spring exhibits scenes from pagan Russia of a community celebrating the return of spring. Dancing, games, and holy procession are held to honor and bless the Earth. The sacrifice of a virgin is to be made to propitiate the God of spring, and a young girl is chosen by fate. She dances herself to death in the presence of elder males. The vitality of rebirth, sacrifice, and the awakening of nature is reflected in Stravinsky’s writing. Tension and energy is constructed in uncomfortable instrumental registers, repetitive crashing chords, and heavy handed strikes of percussion.
Songs of Nature: A Cycle of Five Songs on Texts of Nineteenth Century American Poets: For mezzo soprano with flute, B♭ clarinet, violin, cello and piano by Call Number: M1613.3H456 S6Set to the texts of poets William Cullen Bryant, Hendry Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry David Thoreau, and Emily Dickinson, Heiss’ song cycle depicts the power of the Earth, nature’s serene beauties and addressess innate mortality and human emotion all accompanied by a chamber ensemble of flute, B flat clarinet, violin, cello, and piano.Symphonien für Orchester :In Partitur by
Call Number: M1001 .B4S96 1900zPublication Date: 19--?Written six years after the Hiligenstadt Testament, Beethoven absorbed the natural elements during his time in the countrysides of Vienna, Hungary, and Bohemia, and transferred them to the pages of his sixth symphony. Connecting with natured soothed his despair while dealing with his progressing deafness. Sustained pedal tones in the low strings create the serene calmness of the countryside and in later movements low strings recreate the thunder of a rolling storm. Woodwinds sing the songs of nightingale, quail and cuckoo.Outcry: A Cycle of Nature Poems: for contralto solo, SATB, and orchestra by
Call Number: M1533 D53O8Commissioned by the Coventry Philharmonic Society in the 1960s, this series of nature poems set to music is an unapologetic criticism of humankind. Not only does this work explore our relationship with the natural environment; it also calls attention to the cruelty that humans are capable of showing to each other. The composition draws parallels to Catholic Mass music and has a slow, ritualistic quality to it.Prelude, To the Pollution of Nature: 1989: Opus 180: Prelude 7 for Chamber Orchestra (sinfonietta) by
Call Number: M1045 H74op.180This prelude is the seventh of ten total preludes that reference the natural world. “To The Pollution of Nature” is a depiction of nature’s corruption and its inevitably disastrous end, as performed by Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Percussion, Celesta, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass.
In Nature's Realm Op. 91 by Call Number: MM1004 D989op.91A part of a cycle of three overtures titled Nature, Life and Love, “In Nature’s Realm” reflects Dvořák’s adoration of nature. Dvořák is known to be influenced by his surrounding environment. He clearly creates a pastoral landscape in this tone poem, thought to be inspired by his rural home in Vysoká. Beginning in a soft rumble, the first statement of the nature motif occurs. Voices of nature can be heard throughout the work; motifs of birdsong are echoed throughout the high woodwinds, similar to his String Quartet No. 12 in F major’s first movement in the upper strings.
The Four Seasons by Call Number: M559 .V58C5no.1-4H3 1989Publication Date: 1989Some of the most recognizable classical music in the world, The Four Seasons is a collection of four violin concertos; each work represents a season and contains three movements. Vivaldi includes sounds of flowing streams, rain, thunder, and the songs of turtle doves and goldfinches.
Peter Grimes: An Opera in Three Acts and A Prologue Derived from the Poem of George Crabbe: Opus 33 by Call Number: M1503 .B8608P4 1945Publication Date: 1945Peter Grimes marks Britten’s first operatic success. The opera tells the tale of the tormented fisherman Peter Grimes . After the mysterious death of his apprentice, townspeople suspect Grimes of foul play. Appointment of a second apprentice reinstates a lukewarm sense of faith for Grimes. A storm has destroyed Grimes’ hut, and events of misfortune continue to plague Grimes. In Grimes' frenzy to go out to sea, his new apprentice falls from the cliff side causing his death. The townsfolk turn on Grimes and in outrage instate a manhunt. Yearning for solitude and peace, Grimes’ boat is pushed to sea for the final time. As his boat sinks, the townsfolk resume their chores.
The Making of Peter Grimes by Call Number: ML96.5B74 P42Publication Date: 1996Facsimile of Peter Grimes drafts.
La Mer : Trois Esquisses Symphonique by Call Number: MM1002 D28M4M3Inspired by the antics of his sailor father, nautical artworks by Turner and Hokusai, and fond memories of the beach, Debussy’s La Mer depicts the facets of the endless ocean from its darkest depths and turbulent change to serenity and beauty. Lacking a traditional symphonic structure, this tone poem echoes motives throughout the ensemble that ebb and flow as the sea does. La Mer’s original score pictured Hokusai’s “The Great Wave of Kanagawa” on the cover.
Le Sacre du Printemps = The Rite of Spring by Call Number: DISC M1520 S87S334Stravinsky’s most famous ballet for its controversial premier, choreography, and experimental composing, The Rite of Spring exhibits scenes from pagan Russia of a community celebrating the return of spring. Dancing, games, and holy procession are held to honor and bless the Earth. The sacrifice of a virgin is to be made to propitiate the God of spring, and a young girl is chosen by fate. She dances herself to death in the presence of elder males. The vitality of rebirth, sacrifice, and the awakening of nature is reflected in Stravinsky’s writing. Tension and energy in uncomfortable instrumental registers, repetitive crashing chords, and heavy handed strikes of percussion.
Earth Day Heritage: A Celebration in Music and Words by Call Number: CDISC M1530.3 .R69E3 2020Communicating his feelings on nature and life, Collins’ cantata praises the Earth in six songs. Drawing inspiration from the Wisconsin countryside of Door County, one can picture the shining waters of Lake Michigan and hear the singing birds in tree canopies. Appreciation for all seasons is expressed; snow is celebrated, perfumed flowers enjoyed, sunlight absorbed, and spring welcomed.
The Song of the Earth / Das Lied von de Erde by Call Number: CDISC M1611 .M23L5 2021A song cycle for two voices and orchestra, Mahler confronts his own mortality in Das Lied von de Erde. Based on the texts from Die chinescische Flöte as well as adopting poems from Fl Li Tai-Po, Mong Kao-Yen, Wang Wei, and Tchan Tsi, Mahler augmented the text as needed to communicate the transcience of life and inevitability of death. Detailing their lamentation, self-medication, and natural scenery throughout the six songs, the protagonist leaves the Earth singing “Everywhere and forever the luminous blue of the horizon… Forever… forever… forever…”.
The Four Seasons by Call Number: DISC M1112 V58C52Publication Date: 1957Some of the most recognizable classical music in the world, The Four Seasons is a collection of four violin concertos; each work represents a season and contains three movements. Vivaldi includes sounds of flowing streams, rain, thunder, and the songs of turtle doves and goldfinches.
Peter Grimes Four Sea Interludes by Call Number: DISC B862P478 ASFour Sea Interludes serve as scene changes within the opera. Indeed acting as physical transporters, the interludes also provide emotional innsight to the turmoil of the characters in this coastal Borough. Performed not in the order they appear in the Opera, the interludes are arranged as follows: “Dawn” from the Prologue, “Sunday Morning” from Act II, “Moonlight” from Act III, and “Storm” from Act I.
The Wreckers by Call Number: CDISC M1500 S58W72The Wreckers tales the nautical malevolence of a crew of Cornish seaside dwellers with corrupt morals. The Wreckers manipulate their lighthouse beacons in order to cause shipwrecks and plunder the ship's remains. Unapproving of these conniving misdeeds, young Mark creates his own beacons to warn sailors of the dangerous cliff side. The Wreckers search for the traitor who is warning the ships. A trial is held prosecuting a false perpetrator. Mark confesses, and he and his lover are tied at the shore to await their fate and the rising tide. Smyth’s composition captures the wickedness of the Wreckers and energy of the sea.
Sustainability On Campus
UISO Climate Change Awareness Concert
The University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra (UISO), with the School of Earth, Society and Environment, will be performing a concert focused on spreading climate change awareness. This concert features music by Ethel Smyth, Benjamin Britten, Iman Habibi, Takashi Yoshiamatsu, and Claude Debussy.
Visit the Krannert Center Event Page to learn more!
Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
iSEE is the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment here at UIUC. They have sustainability initiatives, fun events, and educational resources available all year round.
Visit the iSEE website to learn more!
Deke Weaver's The Unreliable Bestiary
Local playwright Deke Weaver’s ongoing project, An Unreliable Bestiary, is a compendium of plays that each focus on a different creature - one for each letter of the alphabet. His most recent work, CETACEAN, is a moving tribute to whales and to humans’ relationship to marine environments.
Visit Deke Weaver's website to learn more!