Vocalists Rhiannon Giddens, soprano Karen Slack, countertenor Reginald Mobley and baritone Market Reed join forces to present composer Shawn Okpebholo’s “Songs in Flight,” his breathtaking composition built on classified ads about runaway slaves.
Shawn Okpebholo, GRAMMY nominated composer, presents “Songs in Flight,” his breathtaking composition performed by world-renowned artists--vocalist & multi-instrumentalist RHIANNON GIDDENS, operatic soprano KAREN SLACK, countertenor REGINALD MOBLEY, baritone MARKEL REED, pianist PAUL SANCHEZ. This powerful work is inspired by “Freedom on the Move,” a database comprising over 30,000 newspaper advertisements placed by North American enslavers to aid in the capture of runaway slaves. Come witness this intersection between history and harmony. Tickets at tickets.wheaton.edu
$16 - $71
tickets.wheaton.edu
Phone: 630.752.5010
Email: artistseries@wheaton.edu
2024/03/11 - 2024/03/11
Additional time info:
Pulitzer Prize-, MacArthur Genius Grant-, and Grammy Award-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens, alongside other internationally acclaimed and award-winning artists soprano Karen Slack, countertenor Reginald Mobley, baritone Markel Reed, and pianist Paul Sánchez will present, award-winning composer Shawn E. Okpebholo song cycle, “Songs in Flight.” This powerful work is inspired by “Freedom on the Move,” a database spearheaded by Cornell University comprising over 30,000 newspaper advertisements placed by North American enslavers to aid in the capture of runaway enslaved people. The New York Times aptly describes the composition as one that “zeroes in on… the simultaneous presence of good and evil, perseverance and depravity, combining beauty and harshness.” The concert also features an evocative solo set of songs by Giddens as well as and a performance of Okpebholo’s “Two Black Churches,” a set of songs described by The Washington Post as “devastatingly beautiful,” continuing the powerful narrative of history, resilience, and hope. Get your tickets now for this historic, one-night-only performance!
Armerding Center for Music & The Arts at Wheaton College
520 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187
Free parking for events is available behind adjoining Edman Chapel at the northwest corner of Washington St. and Jefferson Ave.. There is also a small lot directly across from the hall on Kenilworth, and along Centennial Dr.