Three LatinElegies to Lesbiais a setting of three poems written by the ancient Roman poet, Gaius ValeriusCatullus (84-54 B.C.E.). His muse in these poems is understood to beLesbia, the name believed to have been given by Catullus to his mistress.Lesbia was really Clodia, the sexually promiscuous wife of proconsul QuintusCaecilius Metellus Celer. Clodia was said to have many lovers, and Catullus?torment and obsession for her is well documented in 13 of his poems where thename, Lesbia, is used. His first poem addressed to Lesbia (Catullus 51) is a freetranslation of a poem by the ancient Greek poet, Sappho. Scholars havesuggested that Catullus chose the name, Lesbia, because of his affinity forSappho, who it is believed was a lesbian.

Odie et Amo (Catullus 85), one of the mostcelebrated elegiac couplets composed by Catullus, has inspired many composers withits duality of emotions. The most well-known setting is from Carl Orff?s Catulli Carmina, part of Trionfi, themusical triptych that also includes the Carmina Burana andTrionfo di Afrodite. Unlike Orff?s driving rhythms of outwardlyexpressive anguish, my setting is a more introspective interpretation. It is asif the music is surrendering to the mercurial personalities that Catullus andall humans possess, the tortured ability to hate and love at the same time.

Lesbia mi dicit semper male (Catullus 92) consists of two elegiaccouplets. Catullus? earlier poem, 83,brings some context to 92. In thefirst part of 83, Catullus says:

Lesbia keeps insulting me in front of her husband:

thisfills the fatuous idiot with delight.

Mule, doyou perceive nothing? If she shut up and ignored me

that?dshow healthy indifference;?

In 92, Catullus expounds on the idea of whyLesbia insults him in front of her husband. Catullus reckons that he is alwayscursing her, and he loves her. She always curses him, so she must love him aswell. In his desperation, Catullus uses his wit and humor to reason that hisobsessive love for Lesbia is reciprocated. This setting of 92 uses incessant driving rhythms in the women?s voices to paint thewords, ?Lesbia mi dicit semper male nec tacetumquam de me? (Lesbia always speaks ill of me, never shuts up about me). The repeating rhythmsreturn in the men?s voices when Catullus says he does the same, ?quia sunt totidem mea: deprecor illamassidue? (?it?s the same with me: I?m continually complaining.) The piececomes to a final rest after Catullus realizes the he will always be cursed tolove her.

Mea Lesbia (Catullus 87) also consists of twoelegiac couplets. Catullus was only one of Lesbia?s many lovers, and he oftenwrote of his jealousy and disdain for her unfaithful actions. This elegy waswritten at a time when Lesbia had been particularly cruel toward Catullus.Despite being broken hearted, his obsession with her never waned. In hisdespair and desperation, he basically says, ?My love for you is so great thatno other woman could possibly even know what love is.? This setting of 87 returns to a more introspectivenature where Catullus surrenders his love forever to Lesbia.

Song List: A Child Of The King A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Abide with Me Amazing Grace At Calvary At the Cross Be Still, My Soul Beneath The Cross Of Jesus Beyond The Sunset Blessed Assurance Blest Be The Tie That Binds Break Thou The Bread Of Life Bringing In The Sheaves Christ Arose! Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today Come, Thou Almighty King Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing Come, We That Love The Lord Come, Ye Thankful People, Come Count Your Blessings Crown Him with Many Crowns Day Is Dying In The West Face to Face with Christ My Savior Fairest Lord Jesus Faith of Our Fathers For The Beauty Of The Earth God Be With You God Of Our Fathers God Will Take Care of You Great Is Thy Faithfulness Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah Have Thine Own Way, Lord! He Leadeth Me He Lives He's Got The Whole World In His Hands Heavenly Sunlight Hiding In Thee His Eye Is On The Sparrow His Name Is Wonderful Holy, Holy, Holy How Firm A Foundation How Great Thou Art I Am His And He Is Mine I Am Thine, O Lord I Have Decided to Follow Jesus I Know Whom I Have Believed I Love To Tell The Story i need Thee Every hour In Christ There Is No East Or West In the Cross of Christ In the Garden It Came Upon the Midnight Clear It Is Well With My Soul Ivory Palaces Jesus Calls Us Jesus Is All The World To Me Jesus Loves Me! Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Joy To The World Just A Closer Walk With Thee Just As I Am, Without One Plea Lead Me To Calvary Leaning on the Everlasting Arms Let The Lower Lights Be Burning Love Divine, All Loves Excelling More About Jesus Would I Know More Love To Thee My Faith Looks Up To Thee My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less My Jesus, I Love Thee Near The Cross Near to the Heart of God Nearer, My God, to Thee No, Not One! Now Thank We All Our God O Come, All Ye Faithful O For A Heart To Praise My God O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing O God, Our Help In Ages Past O Happy Day Oh, How He Loves You and Me! Oh, How I Love Jesus O Little Town of Bethlehem O Love That Will Not Let Me Go O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee O Worship the King Only Trust Him Onward, Christian Soldiers Open My Eyes, That I May See Pass Me Not Rescue the Perishing Revive Us Again Rock Of Ages Safe In The Arms Of Jesus Saved By Grace Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us Shall We Gather at the River? Showers Of Blessing Silent Night! Holy Night! Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Standing On The Promises Sweet By And By Sweet Hour of Prayer Take My Life and Let It Be Take The Name Of Jesus With You Take Time To Be Holy Tell Me The Old, Old Story The Bond Of Love The Church In The Wildwood The Church's One Foundation The Light Of The World Is Jesus The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want The Old Rugged Cross This Is My Father's World 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Trust and Obey Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus Were You There? What a Friends We Have in Jesus When I Survey the Wondrous Cross When Morning Gilds the Skies When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder Wonderful Words Of Life