Letter to Mrs. Bixby Movement V. from Letters from Lincoln (2009) for baritone and orchestra Music by Michael Daugherty Words by Abraham Lincoln Reno Philharmonic Laura Jackson, conductor Thomas Hampson, baritone Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts Reno, Nevada March 10, 2019 Letter to Mrs. Bixby (November 21, 1864, Washington D.C.) I have been shown in the files of the War Department that you are the mother of five sons who have died in the field of battle. I feel how weak must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Yours, very sincerely and respectfully, A. Lincoln Letters from Lincoln (2009) for baritone and orchestra was commissioned by the Spokane Symphony, Eckart Preu, M