Resonance Presents:“The Blacknificent 7”
RESONANCE ENSEMBLE OPENS 16TH SEASON WITH BLACKNIFICENT 7, SHOWCASING SEVEN OF TODAY’S LEADING BLACK COMPOSERS
September 27, 2024 – Portland, OR – On Sunday, November 17, 2024 Resonance Ensemble presents a concert featuring works from the collective of leading Black composers known as The Blacknificent 7. Curated by long-time Resonance collaborator Damien Geter, this afternoon of vocal music will showcase compositions by Geter, Jasmine Barnes, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon, and Joel Thompson. The program will also include the world premiere of a Resonance commission Seven Prayers: Hope for Everyone, by Ragland, who will also be in attendance. This one-afternoon-only event takes place at the Alberta Rose Theatre.
“Blacknificent 7 represents some of the most innovative voices working in classical music today,” says Resonance Ensemble Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon. “Like Resonance, these award-winning composers are passionate about using music to further the cause of social justice. We’re excited to share this phenomenal music with listeners in our region.”
The concert will be conducted by FitzGibbon and Resonance Artistic Advisor Shohei Kobayashi and will feature the Oregon premiere of Geter’s Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow, with soprano Nicole Greenidge Joseph and Oregon Symphony principal cellist Nancy Ives.
Nicole Greenidge Joseph, Soprano Soloist
Nancy Ives, Cello
Dave Ragland, Commissioned Composer
Geter shares, “My Cantata pays homage to Black Americans by incorporating spirituals within a framework inspired by Bach’s cantatas. It begins in a deep state of despair and moves emotionally upward towards a state of hope... Even though things may seem tough now, there is a light that shines toward the future.”
The program will also feature the world premiere of Seven Prayers: Hope for Everyone, a new Resonance commission by Dave Ragland. Ragland, a four-time EMMY-nominated composer, will attend the performance and participate in a post-concert panel discussion, offering audiences a chance to hear directly from the composer about his inspiration and process. He describes Seven Prayers as "a series of reflections on life and hope, drawing from voices across the U.S. to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit."
Tickets are on sale now. For tickets click here, for more information on the concert, click here.
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