In a Winter Garden takes the medieval practice of Advent as the season in which we contemplate the end of the world as its inspiration. Set in a convent garden, the story of the piece is simply told: A contemplative nun who is troubled and unable to pray seeks to resolve her her spiritual dilemma as Christmas approaches. She is unable to concentrate because of her terror over "the end of the world." Thomas, the convent gardener, goes about his work - the tasks of decoration and celebration - and provides her, as the season finally does, with the courage she needs to be joyous even in the midst of her recognition of peril.

Librettist Sister Patricia Hampl, a writer whose works I’d admired, created this text. Bruce Carlson of the Schubert Club introduced us.