Commissioned by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, first performed by combined Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choirs, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 12th July 2020

In Her Own Valley

I: Here, Here On The Docks

II: Mistress Hannah

III: Quarry Bank Valley

IV: After The Accident

V: We Are The Children

'In Her Own Valley' (2019) is a cantata in five movements for combined youth and children’s choirs. The work is inspired by the life and principles of Hannah Greg (née Lightbody) (1766 – 1834), a female philanthropist and activist based in Liverpool and Manchester during the industrial revolution. Hannah, born into a wealthy, mercantile, middle-class family, was progressive, interested in the politics of her day and determined to make positive reformations. The piece follows the lives of young factory children and workers who have often previously laboured at the docks, in the squalid conditions of the workhouses or live in neighbouring parishes. The arrival of Hannah and her husband, Samuel Greg, brought great hope as their innovative approach to labour relations, mostly as a result of Hannah’s work, was thought to lead to a better quality of life as they were both considered to be enlightened employers for the period. Fed by weekly labour, the valley was a vision for how life should be. Hannah’s legacy made an immense difference and provided hope for future reform both in her own valley, in Liverpool and beyond.’ ©G.E.M.2019

Libretto: Lila Palmer