With his 21-minute cantata Joan and the Bells, Gordon Getty (born 1933 in California) has created a highly dramatic masterwork. In I, the chorus joins [Vladimir] Chemov (the Judge) in condemning loan of Arc. The music is stylistically reminiscent of Menotti's Death of the Bishop of Brindisi as it wraps around, enhances, and accents the strong text. Chernov's voice is rich, nuanced, and firm, though the printed text helps us understand his accented English. in II, Delan's lack of tone color and throaty tightness in her upper register gives loan's prayer far too much sameness, making 7 minutes seem more like 17. In III it's mainly the firm, excellent chorus that takes over as the text turns the scene of the burning into a highly poetic, exhilarating, triumphal climax.