Verum Corpus is a multi-movement work for choir and string quartet, and sets the text of Amir Rabiyah on the story of transformation, completion, and attainment of the true body. The text is inspired by the story of Caeneus, a mythological hero from Ovid’s Metamorphosis. Caeneus was born as Caenis, a woman, who was abducted and raped by Poseidon. Caenis was so distraught, she demanded to be transformed into a man so that she may never be wronged again. Poseidon granted this wish, and gave Caeneus impenetrable skin. He went on to become one of the fiercest warriors in this mythology. In a battle with centaurs, Caeneus was struck down and crushed by tree trunks. He then transformed into a golden-winged bird and flew away. 

Many of the characters experience trauma in Ovid’s Metamorphosis. Amir wanted this to be a poem that addressed that, drawing parallels to the experience of queer and transgender survivors of abuse and marginalization. More importantly, Amir wanted this to also be about how our chosen families love us, and how love can lead us to loving ourselves, and finding freedom.

While collaborating with Amir on this piece, I had asked them if they could incorporate the text of Ave Verum Corpus into the story. Given the conflict between the Christian religion and the LGBTQ+ perspective, I felt that weaving this traditional Eucharistic text into the story would be a poignant reclamation of the trans narrative and a recontextualization of the words “Hail, true body, whose pierced side flowed with water and blood” — offering a different commentary on these seemingly parallel narratives. 

Verum Corpus is commissioned by the Windy City Performing Arts in celebration of their 40th year.