Chineke! Orchestra joins dynamic mezzo soprano Andrea Baker to perform the trailblazing song cycle woman.life.song, featuring influences of pop, blues and jazz.
Since its founding in 2015, Chineke! has become one of the UKs most exciting musical ensembles, celebrating diversity and championing change by providing crucial opportunities for established and emerging Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians.
Following Chineke! Chamber Ensembles performance on 16 August, the full forces of the Chineke! Orchestra assemble under inspirational US conductor William Eddins for a groundbreaking work celebrating female identity.
woman.life.song is a unique collaboration between five eminent women: composer Judith Weir, writers Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Clarissa Pinkola Ests and singer Jessye Norman, who commissioned and premiered the piece in 2000. Weirs remarkable orchestral song cycle tells of a womans life from youth through first love to old age, reflecting deeply on all aspects of womanhood. Combining contemporary classical with pop, blues and jazz influences, its music of wonder and awe, sparkle and magic, that takes the listener far from classical musics traditional male perspective.
The vocalist in this special performance is British-American mezzo soprano Andrea Baker, who gave the memorable song recital Sing Sistah Sing! as part of last years My Light Shines On online events. Now based in Scotland, Baker is renowned for her sublime voice, her dramatic intensity " and her big musical personality.
Sung in English with English supertitles
Supported by Susie Thomson
William Eddins Conductor
Andrea Baker Mezzo soprano
Ayanna Witter-Johnson New work (world premiere)
Judith Weir woman.life.song
Sung in English with English supertitles
