Introduction
Learn more about the Song of America: A Celebration of Black Music mini-festival, and the music and artists featured as part of it, through the following IDAGIO Live conversations.
May 4, 2021: Composer Anthony R. Green & Mezzo-Soprano Ema Nikolovska
Thomas Hampson and Christie Finn (Managing Director of the Hampsong Foundation) are joined by composer, performer, and social justice artist Anthony R. Green and mezzo-soprano Ema Nikolovska. Ema will perform two pieces by Anthony in the Song of America: A Celebration of Black Music festival, part of the Hamburg International Music Festival.
May 11, 2021: Composer Jasmine Barnes & Soprano Leah Hawkins
Thomas is joined by composer Jasmine Barnes and soprano Leah Hawkins. Jasmine’s song “Flowers” will be performed by Leah in the Song of America: A Celebration of Black Music festival, which is part of the Hamburg International Music Festival. Jasmine is a composer, vocalist, and award-winning educator; Leah is a recent alumna of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera.
May 13, 2021: General and Artistic Director of the Elbphilharmonie, Christoph Lieben-Seutter
Thomas chats with the General and Artistic Director of the historic Laeiszhalle and Hamburg’s new concert hall, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Christoph Lieben-Seutter.
May 18, 2021: Composer Adolphus Hailstork & Soprano/Scholar Louise Toppin
Thomas is joined by composer Dr. Adolphus Hailstork and soprano/scholar Dr. Louise Toppin, who is also co-curator of the festival with Thomas. Dr. Toppin will perform a few of Dr. Hailstork's songs at the festival. One of her many projects in service of the music of Black composers is putting out recordings and scores of Dr. Hailstork's songs.
May 20, 2021: Composer Richard Thompson & Tenor Lawrence Brownlee
Thomas chats with tenor Lawrence Brownlee and composer Richard Thompson.
May 25, 2021: Pianists Joseph Joubert & Howard Watkins
Thomas (joined by Christie Finn) chats with festival pianists Joseph Joubert and Howard Watkins live from the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany.
May 27, 2021: Justin Austin, Shawn Okpebholo & Damien Sneed
Thomas chats with with baritone Justin Austin and composers Shawn Okpebholo and Damien Sneed. Shawn and Damien both have works featured on Song of America: A Celebration of Black Music concerts, and Justin will sing both of those works.
June 8, 2021: Composers Peter Ashbourne, Rosephanye Dunn-Powell, and Brandon Spencer
Thomas hosts a composer roundtable discussion with composers Peter Ashbourne, Rosephanye Dunn-Powell, and Brandon Spencer, all of whom have works featured on the mini-festival Song of America: A Celebration of Black Music.
