The title, ‘Hidden Arias’, has a dual meaning. On the one hand it suggests the ‘form’ of the piece – a series of short ‘songs without words’ disguised by a more threatening type of music. On the other hand, it refers to the poem, ‘The Hidden Country’, by C. S. Lewis. In his poem, Lewis (one of my favorite poets) describes Avilon – the mystical country of the afterlife in Arthurian Legend – and, in broader musical terms, suggests that everyone must always be in search of their own spirituality – of their own ‘Avillon’.

‘Sing of lands unknown

Sing of the hidden country…’

(C S Lewis)

Written for Melinda Maxwell and first performed by her at Dartington International Summer School.