'‘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. At Quarry Bank Mill, established by Samuel to spin cotton, they hired child apprentices and built a model village for their workers, which included housing, a chapel and a school. Fed by weekly labour, the valley was a vision for how life should be.
Built on the back of child labour, these picturesque surroundings at the Mill were not all positive. The Gregs prided themselves on the superior conditions in their mill but, despite their best efforts, many of the children were unhappy as apprentices as the children were legally bound to the mill owner and were forbidden from leaving. The work was sometimes dangerous, with fingers being severed or limbs crushed by the machines. ‘In Her Own Valley’ explores the horror of these accidents, which causes Hannah to reflect upon life at the mill and the choices she made.
Hannah sought to use her position to help make change beyond the restrictions placed upon her by her gender or expected marital role. 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
Saturday night saw the premiere of ‘In Her Own Valley’, a cantata based on the life and principles of Hannah Lightbody, an activist during the Industrial Revolution, with words written by librettist, Lila Palmer. The work was performed by the combined Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Children’s and Youth Choirs under conductor, Simon Emery. Nearly 200 talented children and young people were involved in the performance and truly brought the work to life.
The work was Commissioned by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, first performed by combined Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choirs, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 16th July 2022
