A celebration of popular Arias and Art Songs by leading Filipino-American Classical singers

Be treated to an afternoon of glorious opera arias, and exquisite German and Filipino Art Songs by Filipino-American singers currently making waves in the classical music scene. Sopranos Nicole Besa and Margarita Giannelli, and tenors Geoffrey Agpaio and Jared Esguerra will serenade you with music by Bernstein, Mozart, Puccini, Schubert, Strauss and Verdi, and celebrated Filipino National Artists for Music Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Michael Stern, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin
Larisa Martínez, soprano

4:30 PM - Donor Gates Open

5:00 PM - Public Gates Open

8:00 PM - Concert Starts

Program

Voice and the Violin

Rossini: Overture to La scala di seta

Mendelssohn: “Ah, ritorna, età dell’oro” (Cavatina) from Infelice (1834) (adapt. Stephenson)

Dvořák/Kreisler: Slavonic Fantasy (after Songs My Mother Taught Me) (adapt. Stephenson)

Delibes: Les filles de Cadix

Sarasate: Habanera from Carmen Fantasy (adapt. Stephenson)

Hérold: “Jours de mon enfance” from Le pré aux clercs

Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat major, op. 9, no. 2 (arr. Bell/Wallace)

Berlioz: Overture to Béatrice et Bénédict

Bernstein: West Side Story Medley (arr. Brohn/Czarnecki, adapt. Stephenson)

Friday, July 30, 7PM PT
Opening Night Orchestra Concert

Ming Luke, guest conductor
Montgomery: Starburst (2012)
Strauss: Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs) (1948)
Laquita Mitchell, soprano
Intermission
Mozart: “Chi’o mi scordi di te”, Scene and Rondo, K.505 (1786)
Laquita Mitchell, soprano
Anna Stoycheva, piano obbligato
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, op. 90 (“Italian”) (1833)

This is an online event with no live audience. We hope you will join us.

PROGRAM
Jessie Montgomery Starburst
Alice Coltrane Prema for Harp and Strings
arranged by Tom Cunningham of Urban Playground Orchestra
Adolphus Hailstork TULSA 1921 (Pity Theses Ashes, Pity This Dust) for Mezzo-Soprano and Chamber Orchestra
*World Premiere - libretto by Herbert Woodward Martin
Trevor Weston The People Could Fly for Violin Solo, Narrator and Strings
(Based upon an African-American folktale by Virginia Hamilton; featuring dancers from Harlem School of the Arts)

FEATURING
Amadi Azikiwe, Music Director and Conductor
Terrance McKnight, Host and Performer
J’Nai Bridges, Mezzo-Soprano
Jessica (Lady Jess) McJunkins, Violin
Ashley Jackson, Harp
With an orchestra comprising members of The Harlem Chamber Players. Also featuring dancers from Harlem School of the Arts.

One-hour live performance - An Evening of Music Celebrating Juneteenth

Shana Oshiro, soprano | Jarrod Lee, baritone | Shawna Williams, dancer | Dr. Lester Green, piano | Pamela Simonson, narrator

With the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts

Join in an uplifting and festive musical celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Including texts by Langston Hughes and Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr., set to music by trailblazing composers Margaret Bonds and Adolphus Hailstork.   

A Joyful and reflective celebration through song, dance and narration!

Let the power of the human voice transport you as Dame Jane Glover leads two exquisite Bach cantatas, “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen,” BWV 51, and "Ich habe genug," BWV 82, alongside two works for strings by Purcell.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on gatherings, this concert will be streamed live from Faith, Hope, & Charity Church. Patrons can watch the concert live on June 6 or on demand beginning June 9.

Music of the Baroque Orchestra
Dame Jane Glover, conductor
Yulia Van Doren, soprano
Michael Sumuel, bass-baritone

Esperanza Arts Center presents a special streamed staged world premiere in partnership with Astral Artists featuring Brazilian Forró music, opera, dance, and storytelling traditions, as part of Voces 2021. Building on the sound of Forrópera, co-created by Chrystal E. Williams and Felipe Hostins, Forrópera Experiência features Chrystal E. Williams (mezzo-soprano) and Forró musicians Gabe Hall-Rodrigues (accordion), Davi Vieira (zabumba), and the Esperanza Academy Dance Ensemble. This unique production culminates a season-long residency, with performances of original stageworks created and performed by Esperanza Academy students, Ms. Williams, Mr. Hostins, Mr. Hall-Rodrigues, and Mr. Vieira.

Forrópera Experiência is generously supported by The Presser Foundation and the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation

Make it Brazilian Night at Home!

Enjoy authentic Brazilian food while watching VOCES at home and support our local Latino-owned restaurants.

VISIT: https://www.esperanzaartscenter.us/make-it-brazilian-night-at-home/