Two Worlds a song cycle

My name is Beth Ratay, and I am a composer! My grandfather, Vlad Ratay, immigrated to the United States in 1922 when he was 19 years old. I am working on creating a song cycle inspired by his 1922 Christmas letter home which details to his family his immigration experience. The whole cycle will be set in Czech, and sung by a baritone, with flute and piano accompaniment.

The first song, "Ocean Wide" tells his experience on the boat trip from Europe to America. Other songs will include:

His first day in New York

His first meal in America

His first jobs in America

Buying his typewriter

Ads and city lights

Christmas Gifts for the family

I am trying to raise $2000 to pay the lyricist, Aleš Navrátil for writing the poems and lyrics. Any additional money raised will be put towards performances in the US or the Czech Republic.