Vocal Works Celebrating African Queens: A Dazzling Collaboration of Music and Storytelling
Touring in recital in the 25/26 season, this brilliantly curated program, featuring music by both African and American composers, vividly represents vocal works of the past and present. Each song reflects the beauty, humility, passion, and power of the Queens being celebrated.
African Queens premiered at Ravinia Music Festival on August 1, 2024 and has since conducted beautiful performances at Aspen Music Festival, Denver Friends of Chamber Music, and Music Academy of the West. Future performances in Spring 2025 include Washington Performing Arts, 92nd Street Y, Nashville Symphony, and Newport Classical.
The evening centers eight new songs written for Karen by some of today’s most acclaimed composers- Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon, and Joel Thompson with text by Lorene Cary, Alicia Haymer, Tsitsi Ella Jaji, Deborah D.E.E.P Mouton and Creative Collaborator for the African Queens project Jay Saint Flono.
Each new, approximately 6-8 minute vocal work will focus on a different queen, and the connective tissue between each story and song will be woven together through interspersed narrative text.
Karen Slack performing Joel Thompson's Queen Nanny's Lullabye at Music Academy of the West.
Concert Program
Dave Ragland: Precatio*
Carlos Simon: Behold, The Queen*
Dave Ragland: The Queen of Sheba*
Jessie Montgomery: The Song of Nzingha*
Fred Onovwerosuoke: Luwah (Bitter Tears)
Shawn Okpebholo: A Letter From Queen Ufua*
*****
Fred Onovwerosuoke: Duniya (Mystic Universe)
Jasmine Barnes: I Am Not Your God*
Will Liverman: A Prayer
Joel Thompson: Queen Nanny's Lullabye*
Damien Geter: Amanirenas*
*commissioned for African Queens
Contact Us
We invite you to contact us now about finding a date to bring African Queens to your series in the 2025/26 season.