Pandora opens a jar (in seemingly more accurate translations) and releases numerous evils, diseases and other pains into the world, but one thing remains within the jar: hope. Why does hope remain within? Why doesn’t it come out and help humanity? Why was it included with all those evils in the first place? Zachary Cairns wrote this piece to engage these unanswered questions. This dramatic concert selection encourages students and listeners to consider their own ideas of what hope is.

 Sample Score