Damien Geter's An African American Requiem

On Saturday, May 7th at 8:50pm, WQXR is proud to present a simultaneous live broadcast from All Classical Portland of the world premiere of Portland-based composer Damien Geter’s An African American Requiem. Commissioned by Portland’s Resonance Ensemble, this pivotal work memorializes the lives of Black Americans lost to racial violence in a first-of-its-kind requiem. The requiem includes African American spirituals as well as texts from civil rights activists Ida B. Wells and Jamilia Land. It also highlights words dedicated to Eric Garner, a line from a poem by Antwon Rose, and words written and performed by Portland poet Dr. S. Renee Mitchell.

The renewed production will also feature the Oregon Symphony and the African American Requiem Choir, made up of singers from Resonance Ensemble, Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir, and Portland-based choirs. William Eddins will conduct, and Resonance’s Artistic Director Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon will prepare the chorus. The concert will also feature a quartet of renowned African American opera singers: soprano Brandie Sutton, mezzo-soprano Karmesha Peake, tenor Bernard Holcomb, baritone and Kenneth Overton. Hosted by Terrance McKnight and Suzanne Nance.

Program notes courtesy of All Classical Portland

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[joanneweiss]

Saw Batiste & Gateways Festival Orchestra last Sunday, looking forward to this, sounds incredible! Best part of retirement is time for all this music & learning & daily WQXR 🙌💖💖💖👏👏

[briana.g.]

I hope this brother knows that he's likely related to Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees.

[loyaltyisroyalty]

The rare instance of racial violence. Like, is this a historical piece or highlighting the “problems of today”?