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Nov. 16: Halalisa Singers in “Libertatum: Songs of Freedom”
Boston-based world music vocal ensemble The Halalisa Singers, led by artistic director Mary Cunningham, presents Libertatum: Songs of Freedom on Sunday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m. at First Parish in Lexington, 7 Harrington Road. The program will be repeated on Saturday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. at First Church in Littleton, 19 Foster St. Pianist Trevor Berens, trumpeter Ryan Noe, violinist Elena Spencer, and percussionist Abe Finch accompany. Tickets are $25. For information visit www.halalisa.org/concerts.
The program’s centerpiece is Kyle Pederson’s inspirational five-movement suite, “A Vision Unfolding” for chorus, piano, violin, trumpet and percussion. The piece explores themes including compassion, freedom, inclusivity and justice. Lush harmonies and compelling rhythms are interspersed with spoken word narration featuring poetry by Shanelle Gabriel. Sung texts include Walt Whitman’s compelling “Beat! Drums!” and Langston Hughes’s beloved “I Dream a World.”
The low voices of the choir perform Jim Papoulis’s intricate “Libertatum (Freedom),” which begins with a traditional Latin motet style before evolving into a contemporary anthem of freedom that includes body percussion and rousing choral singing. The choir’s high voices are featured in “I’m on My Way.” Based on the 1950s Mahalia Jackson version of the traditional spiritual, Anthony Trecek-King’s driving arrangement is rhythmic, passionate and dynamic. A Halalisa small ensemble will sing “Found/Tonight,” a beautiful choral medley of tunes from the popular musicals “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Hamilton.”
Also on the program are Alysia Lee’s “Say Her Name,” a musical statement against police brutality against Black women and others and a potent call to action; the joyful, powerful walking song “Lead With Love” by vocal activist Melanie DeMore; Mark Miller’s exuberant arrangement of the African American spiritual “I’m Gonna Sing;” Palestinian/Jordanian/Canadian composer Shireen Abu-Khader’s touching arrangement of the song “Lao Rahal Soti (If My Voice Departs);” and choral composer Brian Tate’s “One Million Voices,” which grows in intensity and strength as it urges audiences to speak out against injustice.