An African American Requiem

A bi-coastal broadcast collaboration between Oregon’s All Classical Portland and New York’s WQXR. Commissioned by Resonance Ensemble, An African American Requiem was originally slated to premiere in April 2020, but postponed due to the ongoing global pandemic. This long-awaited, highly anticipated performance and broadcast originating at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon, on May 7, 2022, at 6:00 PM PT. Featuring Oregon Symphony with the African American Requiem Choir, made up of singers from Resonance Ensemble, Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir, and other Portland-based choirs. William Eddins conducts, and Resonance Ensemble’s Artistic Director Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon prepared the chorus. The concert also features a quartet of renowned African American opera singers: Brandie Sutton, soprano; Karmesha Peake, mezzo-soprano; Bernard Holcomb, tenor; and Kenneth Overton, baritone.

The piece incorporates traditional requiem mass parts, African American spirituals, as well as texts from civil rights activists Ida B. Wells and Jamilia Land. It also includes the last words spoken by Eric Garner, a line from a poem by Antwon Rose, and words written and performed by Portland poet Dr. S. Renee Mitchell.

The program will be hosted by All Classical Portland’s Suzanne Nance and WQXR’s Terrance McKnight, and produced by Sarah Zwinklis and Eileen Delahunty. This world premiere performance broadcast is available for syndication to public radio stations throughout the U.S.A, at no cost to carriage stations, ensuring broad access to and amplification of Damien Geter’s powerful and important work.
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A bi-coastal broadcast collaboration between Oregon’s All Classical Portland and New York’s WQXR. Commissioned by Resonance Ensemble, An African American Requiem was originally slated to premiere in April 2020, but postponed due to the ongoing global pandemic. This long-awaited, highly anticipated performance and broadcast originating at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon, on May 7, 2022, at 6:00 PM PT. Featuring Oregon Symphony with the African American Requiem Choir, made up of singers from Resonance Ensemble, Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir, and other Portland-based choirs. William Eddins conducts, and Resonance Ensemble’s Artistic Director Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon prepared the chorus. The concert also features a quartet of renowned African American opera singers: Brandie... Show full description