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UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
SINGING FREEDOM
PANEL DISCUSSION
JANUARY 8, 2023
WITH ROLLO DILWORTH, SHAWN OKPEBHOLO, MASON BYNES, TSITSI JADI, ED BAPTIST AND JAY FLUELLEN
Discussion with composers, artists, historians, writers on/around Freedom on the Move database and performances of Songs in Flight and Three Dialogues.
Philadelphia, PA
African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
SONGS IN FLIGHT
METLiveARTS
JANUARY 12, 2023
WITH THE RHIANNON GIDDENS, HOWARD WATKINS, REGINALD MOBLEY AND WILL LIVERMAN
Singing Freedom utilizes Freedom on the Move—Cornell University’s database devoted to the experiences of fugitives from slavery in North America—to “capture a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, each meditating on what it means to risk all to be free.”
New York, NY
The Met Museum
SONGS IN FLIGHT
PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY AND WIREY CRIES
JANUARY 15, 2023
WITH THE RHIANNON GIDDENS, HOWARD WATKINS, REGINALD MOBLEY AND WILL LIVERMAN
Singing Freedom utilizes Freedom on the Move—Cornell University’s database devoted to the experiences of fugitives from slavery in North America—to “capture a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, each meditating on what it means to risk all to be free.”
Philadelphia, PA
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center
FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES
FEBRUARY 8, 2023
New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow’s widely acclaimed memoir is the source for this extremely moving story of his traumatic youth in Louisiana. Fire Shut Up in My Bones is an opera for today, revealing the black experience in this country as few other operas have done.
DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Dallas, TX
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
WITH THE MIRÓ QUARTET
THE JONAH PEOPLE
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
APRIL 13, 14, 15 & 16, 2023
Few artists have conveyed the African American experience in America as movingly and as powerfully as Hannibal Lokumbe. Skillfully bringing together jazz, blues, gospel, opera, orchestral and choral music, this legendary trumpeter and composer will premiere his most expansive and ambitious project yet, The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph. Featuring a cast of six vocalists, nine actors, a full chorus, a jazz quartet and an African drumming ensemble, this monumental production will bring the community together in a celebration of music, artistry and African American voices.
Nashville, TN
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
NINTH SYMPHONY & JUSTICE SYMPHONY
FRESNO PHILHARMONIC
JUNE 11, 2023
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of JFK’s 1963 nationally televised speech that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this performance of Damien Geter’s The Justice Symphony, centered on anthems from the Civil Rights era, highlights contemporary challenges in social engagement. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Choral closes the season with the joyful confluence of Music Director Rei Hotoda, the Fresno Philharmonic, the Fresno Master Chorale, and special guests Karen Slack, Sarah Mesko, Adam Diegel, and Damien Geter.
Fresno, CA
William Saroyan Theatre
TRIALS, TEARS TRANSCENDENCE: THE JOURNEY OF CLARA LUPER
MAY 13, 2023
Part of the Oklahoma Stories – Clara Luper Centennial, Karen will perform as a soloist in Hannibal Lokumbe's: Trials, Tears, Transcendence: The Journey of Clara Luper.
Oklahoma City, OK
Civic Center Music Hall
OAKLAHOMA CITY PHILHARMONIC
HEROES UNITE
ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
MAY 20, 2023
Orpheus pays homage voices of justice and freedom. Beethoven channeled his revolutionary ardor into music for Goethe’s historical drama about a local hero defying foreign occupiers, Egmont, performed here with a new translation and featuring soprano Karen Slack and a special guest narrator.
New York City, NY
Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall
WITH E COLLECTIVE AND TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET
AIDA
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