On October 6, 1998, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, beaten, and left to die, in what became an infamous act of brutality, and one of America’s most notorious anti-gay hate crimes. Shepard’s murder served as a catalyst for legislation that expanded the definition of a hate crime to include sexual orientation. The Grammy-nominated oratorio, composed and conducted by OBF artistic partner Craig Hella Johnson, is an evocative and compassionate musical response to the murder of Matthew Shepard.

OBF Chorus
OBF Modern Orchestra
Camilla Tassi, projection designer
Craig Hella Johnson, conductor

Artists, dates, times, repertoire, and venues are subject to change.