Emmett Till: A New American Opera is an exciting profoundly moving New York Premiere concert performance by composer Mary D. Watkins and librettist Clare Coss featuring 8 soloist performers and 24-piece orchestra, conducted by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tania León. Merriweather serves as chorus master.
Merriweather sings the role of “Pilate.” Trinity ensembles join forces with the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue and New York Baroque Incorporated to present Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, one of the quintessential masterpieces of western classical music. The Passion According to St. Matthew, BWV 244, is a dramatic integration of scripture, new poetry, and great hymns of the Lutheran tradition. Bach’s sublime setting creates a portrayal of the Passion that is both profoundly human and divine.
Merriweather sings the role of “Pilate.” Trinity ensembles join forces with the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue and New York Baroque Incorporated to present Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, one of the quintessential masterpieces of western classical music. The Passion According to St. Matthew, BWV 244, is a dramatic integration of scripture, new poetry, and great hymns of the Lutheran tradition. Bach’s sublime setting creates a portrayal of the Passion that is both profoundly human and divine.
Bach’s St. John Passion is an artistic triumph, not only for its music, but the brilliance with which Bach set the Passion narrative. In this premiere of Madeleine Marshall’s new English translation of this masterpiece, the expressive words of the Passion shine through for Anglophone audiences, giving new life to the piece whose imagery, intensity, and ardor has inspired audiences, musicians, and composers through the ages.
Merriweather sings the role of Jesus.
Merriweather conducts the Brooklyn College Symphonic Choir and Conservatory Singers. The concert, modeled after events curated by Coretta Scott King, will include other inspirational pieces promoting unity, peace, and reconciliation. The concert will feature music by Margaret Bonds, Mary Lou Williams, Undine Smith Moore, and the Jazz Mass by Gregg Smith.
Bach’s St. John Passion is an artistic triumph, not only for its music, but the brilliance with which Bach set the Passion narrative. In this premiere of Madeleine Marshall’s new English translation of this masterpiece, the expressive words of the Passion shine through for Anglophone audiences, giving new life to the piece whose imagery, intensity, and ardor has inspired audiences, musicians, and composers through the ages.
Merriweather sings the role of Jesus.
Dessoff continues its mission to perform rarely heard choral masterpieces with the world premiere of Margaret Bonds’ Credo. Portions of the work were performed in 1972 just four weeks after the composer’s untimely death. In the mid-1960s, Bonds focused her attention on the writings of W.E.B. Du Bois, another leader dedicated to African-American causes. Du Bois’ essay Credo (1913) so inspired Bonds that she immediately set out to compose the work. The seven movement piece was dedicated to the memories of poet Langston Hughes and singer-actress Abbie Mitchell. The text promotes unity and social equality and Bonds expertly portrays the sentiment with rich harmonies and exciting motifs. Dessoff is proud to finally share the orchestral version with the world.
Simon Bore the Cross, an Easter cantata, is another rarely performed work of Bonds and Langston Hughes. Like Ballad of the Brown King, the Christmas cantata, the protagonist is a black man, whose life was a role model for helping lift the lives of others. By performing and recording both these overlooked works, we will shine a light on Bonds’ neglected but significant contribution to the American music canon.
PROGRAM:
I BELIEVE: CREDO (New York premiere) – Margaret Bonds (1913-1972)
Simon Bore the Cross – Margaret Bonds
Merriweather sings the role of Henry “Box” Brown.
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec has collaborated with librettist Mark Campbell to create the second of his “American historical oratorios.” Sanctuary Road draws on the astonishing stories to be found in William Still’s book The Underground Railroad, which documents the network of secret routes and safe houses used by African American slaves to escape into free states and Canada during the early- to mid-1800s.
Merriweather sing the role of Henry “Box” Brown in his Chautauqua Symphony debut.
“Paths to Freedom” is a concert that links aspects of American history and culture to the present day through music. Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s Sanctuary Road is based on a book by 19th-century civil rights leader William Still who would become known as the “Father of the Underground Railroad.” Helping many hundreds of slaves escape to freedom, Still’s careful recordkeeping was also essential in reuniting family members who had become separated under slavery. At Sanctuary Road’s world premiere performance in 2018, the New York Classical Review praised the work as “…an oratorio in the full quasi-operatic sense, rich in character, action, and vocal display.”
Jaap van Sweden, conductor
Rob Mathes, conductor
Malcolm J. Merriweather, director, New York Philharmonic Chorus
