Clara Lemlich, an early 20th-century labor activist, once described having “fire in my mouth,” a phrase reflecting her fierce determination to improve working conditions in garment factories rather than referring to the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 in Manhattan. That blaze, which claimed the lives of 146 predominantly female workers trapped behind locked doors, remains a stark symbol of industrial-era exploitation.

A contemporary artistic work commemorating this event, Julia Wolfe’s *Fire in My Mouth*, was performed recently by the Philharmonia Orchestra at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The piece, originally premiered in 2019 and conducted by Marin Alsop, was also featured earlier this year in Edinburgh. *Fire in My Mouth* is a one-hour composition that draws inspiration from minimalist composer Steve Reich, but it incorporates unique theatrical and percussive elements designed to evoke the sounds and atmosphere of a garment factory. The chorus’s use of scissors as instruments accentuated the industrial setting, while the production’s direction emphasized movement and symbolism.

This choral work avoids narrating the fire explicitly; instead, it gives voice to the personal stories of the victims, many of whom were Italian and Jewish immigrant women. Notably, the composition includes an interplay between a lively folk song from the Puglia region of Italy and a somber Yiddish melody, underscoring the diverse heritage of those lost in the disaster. Under the direction of Anne Kauffman, the combined choirs, including the London Voices, the RSNO Youth Chorus, and the Farnham Youth Choir, processed through the hall’s aisles, embodying the spirit and resilience of the workers.

The piece culminates with the collective singing of all 146 victims’ names, presented as an “amen,” a solemn tribute that avoids sentimentality while honoring their memory. Alsop’s conducting throughout the performance was noted for its energy and sensitivity to the work’s rhythm and intensity.

Looking ahead, the Philharmonia Orchestra is scheduled to appoint Manfred Honeck as its chief conductor in 2028. Whether his leadership will bring a similarly impassioned, provocative opening remains to be seen. For now, *Fire in My Mouth* stands as a powerful artistic acknowledgment of a tragic chapter in labor history.