Masters of the Spiritual
About this event
The Spiritual is a unique documentation of the life and the faith born of slavery by enslaved Africans in America. On Sunday, June 2, 2019, at New York's Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, Canti Classics and the Living Heritage Foundation paid tribute in film and song to three legendary living African-American composers – Lena McLin, Roland Carter, and Jacqueline Hairston – who over time have masterfully arranged spirituals for the concert stage. The concert was entitled Robert Sims and Friends in Masters of the Spiritual. As Canti Classics has long held, "It is important to keep this performance practice of this musical genre alive." Thus, this program celebrates and preserves one of the earliest African-American musical contributions to the U.S. as it has been adapted to the concert stage.
The internationally acclaimed African-American artists presented in this concert include Metropolitan Opera tenors George Shirley and Chancey Packer; baritones Robert Sims, Kenneth Overton, and Phillip Harris; celebrated sopranos Marquita Lister, Louise Toppin, Hope Briggs, Alison Buchanan, Cynthia Clarey, and Shawnette Sulker; acclaimed bass Kevin Thompson; contralto Lucia Bradford; and pianists Joseph Joubert, Byron Burford-Phearse, and Paul Hamilton.
"The Masters of the Spirituals concert was a transformative experience which left the audience floating on cloud nine. This was a concert Roland Hayes would have celebrated as a crowning achievement of his life’s work." (Classical Singer Magazine)
"Masters of the Spiritual was a transfigurative musical experience, an opening of the heart and soul, far beyond technique, and was much too enticing to have disappeared after this single performance.” (QOnStage)
This stream is available to watch until Friday, December 31, 2021.
Programme
1. Concert – approx. 90 min programme
Repertoire
Welcome and Introduction: George Shirley, tenor, Metropolitan Opera
I
1. I’m A Soldier, Let Me Ride – arr. Lena McLin
Robert Sims, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano
2. Wait 'til I Put On My Crown – arr. Lena McLin
Alison Buchanan, soprano, Joseph Joubert, piano
3. Don't You Let Nobody Turn You 'Round – arr. Lena McLin
Kenneth Overton, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano
4. Call Jesus – Lena McLin
Shawnette Sulker, soprano, Hope Briggs, soprano, Joseph Joubert, piano (duet arr. Robert Sims)
5. Great Day – arr. Lena McLin
Kevin Thompson, bass, Byron Burford-Phearse, piano
6. The Angels Done Bow'd Down – arr. Lena McLin
Lucia Bradford, mezzo-soprano, Byron Burford-Phearse, piano
7. Hold Out Your Light – arr. Lena McLin
Chauncey Packer, tenor, Robert Sims, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano (duet arr. Robert Sims)
Master of the Spiritual Award presented to Lena McLin, composer
II
1. Sweetest Sound I Ever Heard – arr. Roland Carter
Robert Sims, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano
2. So Glad, Paul Hamilton, piano – arr. Roland Carter
Louise Toppin, soprano, Byron Burforf-Phearse, piano
3. Trying to Get Home – arr. Roland Carter
Kenneth Overton, baritone, Joseph Joubert, piano
4. Is There Anybody Here Who Loves My Jesus – arr. Roland Carter
Hope Briggs, soprano, Byron Burford-Phearse, piano
5. Steal Away – arr. Roland Carter
Marquita Lister, soprano, Joseph Joubert, piano
6. Freedom – arr. Roland Carter
Chauncey Packer, tenor, Byron Burford-Phearse, piano
7. Lit'l Talk With Jesus Makes It Right – arr. Roland Carter
Louise Toppin, soprano, Marquita Lister, soprano, Joseph Joubert, piano
8. Same Train – arr. Roland Carter
Robert Sims, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano
Master of the Spiritual Award presented to Roland Carter, composer
Intermission
III
Remarks: Susheel Bibbs, soprano, founder: The Living Heritage Foundation
Master of the Spiritual Award presented to Jacqueline B. Hairston, composer
Presentation: Hilda Harris, mezzo-soprano, Metropolitan Opera
1. No Ways Tired – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Shawnette Sulker, soprano, Joseph Joubert, piano
2. I'll Go – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Lucia Bradford, contralto, Byron Burford-Phearse, piano
3. Ride On Jesus – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Alison Buchanan, soprano, Phillip Harris, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano
4. God is a God – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Kevin Thompson, Byron Burford-Phearse
5. This Little Light of Mine – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Shawnette Sulker, soprano, Paul Hamilton, piano
6. Three Spirituals for Three Baritones – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston Robert Sims, baritone, Kenneth Overton, baritone, Kevin Thompson, bass, Paul Hamilton, piano
7. Guide My Feet – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Hope Briggs, soprano, Joseph Joubert, piano
8. Plenty Good Room – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Cynthia Clarey, contralto, Robert Sims, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano
9. Gué, Gué, Solangaie – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Louise Toppin, soprano, Marquita Lister, soprano, Joseph Joubert, piano
10. Spiritual Medley – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
George Shirley, tenor, Chauncey Packer, tenor, Phillip Harris, baritone,
Robert Sims, baritone, Kenneth Overton, baritone, Kevin Thompson, bass, Paul Hamilton, piano
11. My Good Lord's Done Been Here – arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston
Robert Sims, baritone, Paul Hamilton, piano
This performance was filmed at Lincoln Center, Bruno Walter Auditorium, New York City in June 2019.
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