Libera Me for Choir, Soloist, and Ensemble

What if you had to flee to be allowed to believe?

What does freedom mean if you have to leave your own country to be true to your faith? That is the central question in Libera Me (Liberate Me), a poignant movement from the Utregs Requiem. Indeed, the piece tells the true story of Mohty, who was persecuted for her beliefs and ultimately had to flee. It is a musical narrative about oppression, courage, and the search for a safe haven.

‘Libera Me’ within the Utregs Requiem

This work is an essential part of the Utregs Requiem, a community art project led by director Ellen Blom. In contrast to a classical requiem, this project does not focus on the dead, but rather on the living. It offers residents of Utrecht a stage to leave a painful past behind. As a result, Libera Me is not only a plea for liberation but also a celebration of the freedom that was finally achieved.

The story of Mohty: an escape from Iran

Libera Me is therefore based on the life of Mohty. In her native country of Iran, her personal interpretation of her faith differed from the state religion. Because she wrote down her thoughts and shared them, she was persecuted. The authorities then put her under pressure by imprisoning her husband.

When her husband was finally released, they made a momentous decision: they had to flee. After an arduous journey that lasted weeks, the couple arrived in the Netherlands. Here, they were reunited with their children, who had already fled earlier. Today, in the Netherlands, Mohty is finally free to practice her faith as she wishes.

Music and text as a voice for freedom

The composition and the libretto by Herman van Tongerloo give a voice to Mohty’s experiences. The music follows the tension of the persecution, the hardship of the escape, and the eventual relief of liberation.