Note: All submitted events must be approved before they appear in the calendar.
The first concert of the season features Artistic Director Dr. Eugene Rogers and TWC’s commitment to performing works of BIPOC composers under its Mahogany Initiative. James Lee III’s (b. 1975) four-movement work Breaths of Universal Longings for chorus, youth chorus and orchestra, is inspired by the concepts of joy and belonging. The piece includes paraphrased biblical texts, Charles Bertram’s “Now and Then” as well as words written by members of the May Festival Youth Chorus who were a part of the world premiere in 2022. TWC will present the East Coast premiere of the piece.
The moving Breaths of Universal Longings is complimented by the vivid storytelling of Antonio Estévez’s Cantata Criolla, in which Florentino, a Venezuelan cowboy, musically duels with El Diablo to save his soul. Both works celebrate the power of the voice and singing.
Co-presented with National Philharmonic and conducted by TWC Artistic Director Eugene Rogers