NEW HORIZONS - WE OVERCOME
Our season opens with a powerful evening of music born from struggle and resilience, culminating in Margaret Bonds' extraordinary Montgomery Variations—a seven-movement masterpiece that transforms the spiritual "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me" into a profound journey through the civil rights movement, from the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott to the tragic 1963 Birmingham church bombing.
The program opens with Sibelius' triumphant Karelia Overture, composed in defiance of Russian oppression as a tribute to Finnish cultural independence, followed by Chris Pilsner's luminous Light in the Ocean, a commissioned work celebrating the beauty of underwater life in memory of Melanie Valente. Soprano Gwendolyn Alfred brings her artistry to Montsalvatge's haunting Cinco canciones negras, where the Catalan composer gives voice to the silenced victims of Spanish colonial brutality. Together, these works create an unforgettable testament to the transformative power of music in the face of adversity—proving that through art and solidarity, WE OVERCOME.
GUEST ARTIST:
GWENDOLYN ALFRED SOPRANO
Praised for her “bright and passionate tone” (Houston Chronicle), soprano Gwendolyn Alfred made her Houston Grand Opera debut in a newly-commissioned work which landed her in the prestigious Texas Monthly magazine. Additionally, Alfred recently made her off-Broadway debut as a soprano soloist in the original dramatic work The Women Have Something to Say.
Dr. Alfred is an Assistant Professor of Voice at Texas Christian University. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Houston, Master of Music from Lamar University, and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Houston. Her mission is to influence and build well-rounded musicians from diverse backgrounds with her love for a wide array of genres, and her eclectic experience with various musical styles.
Расстояние от основных достопримечательностей
- Конференц-центр Кей Бейли Хатчисон: 1.20 мили
- Аэропорт Даллас Лав Филд: 5.60 миль
- Международный аэропорт DFW: 16.17 миль
- Стадион AT&T: 17.52 мили
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