Natalie Merchant releases ‘Cabinet of Wonder’ musical project

Natalie Merchant has released ‘Cabinet of Wonder’, a digital collection of 17 songs and accompanying videos. The project is a collaboration between Merchant, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), and the Chicago Children’s Theatre (CCT), featuring orchestral arrangements by Megan Gould.

The album reimagines classic Mother Goose nursery rhymes alongside three original songs. The initiative grew from a three-year residency and volunteer work Merchant conducted with the Head Start program in Troy, where she worked with approximately 300 children to develop lessons around traditional songs, games, and rhymes.

Beyond the music, the project encompasses a broad early-childhood arts initiative including theater, dance, video, and classroom lessons. The collaboration involved handmade costumes, shadow puppetry, and music videos featuring children from the CCT education program.