THE MAJESTY OF THE SPIRITUAL
PROGRAM
Lena McLin, arranger
I’m a Soldier, Let me Ride! Robert Sims
Wait Til I Put on my Crown Albert Lee
Call Jesus Hope Briggs
Great Day
Shawnette Sulker
Donnie Ray Albert
De Angels Done Bowed Down Patrick Dailey
Hold Out Your Light
Roland Carter, arranger
Albert Lee
Robert Sims
Sweetest Sound I Ever Heard Patrick Dailey
Trying to Get Home
Donnie Ray Albert
Steal Away to Jesus Indira Mahajan
Same Train
Oh, Freedom
Is There Anybody Here?
INTERMISSION
Robert Sims
Albert Lee
Hope Briggs
Robert Sims
Motherless Chile (arr. Susheel Bibbs) Susheel Bibbs
Jacqueline Hairston, arranger
Don’t Feel No-Ways Tired Indira Mahajan
Lord I’ll Go Patrick Dailey
Plenty Good Room
Cynthia Clarey
Quinton Gardner
Guide My Feet Hope Briggs
My Good Lord’s Done Been Here Quinton Gardner
This Little Light of Mine
Shawnette Sulker
Spirituals Medley: Blessed Three Robert Sims
Donnie Ray Albert
Quinton Gardner
Uzee Brown Jr., arranger
Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning
Shawnette Sulker
Donnie Ray Albert
This River Indira Mahajan
I Wanna Die Easy Susheel Bibbs
Cynthia Clarey
Patrick Dailey
Albert Lee
Robert Sims
Mornin’ Train (arr. Robert Sims) Ensemble
Creator and Producer ROBERT SIMS
Collaborative Pianist and Video Editor PAUL HAMILTON
Coach SUSHEEL BIBBS
Stage Director FR. KEN BAKER
Stage Manager LAURA HASSELL
PROGRAM NOTES
By Alexis Hamilton
The spiritual is a true miracle. The ability of this genre of folk songs—the most uniquely American and most generative genre of American folk music— to galvanize, unify, and encourage across culture and ethnicity cannot be underestimated. These songs - expressions of mourning, suffering, strength, resilience, defiance, joy, and faith - originate from disparate peoples brought together under the most horrific of circumstances, enslavement. To come together, they lay aside their differences to create a new culture, Black culture, American culture. Spirituals are the gift that influences and undergirds myriad genres of music in the American musical corpus.
Dr. Arthur C. Jones, psychologist, musician, performer, and author, reminds us that the Black people captured and enslaved during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries had “little if any personal identification with the concept of ‘African.’ Rather, people reared in such divergent ethnic communities as the Fulani, the Yoruba, and the Mende identified almost exclusively with members of their own ethnic communities.” In order to survive, these disparate individuals had to forge a common identity. Of course, their suffering at the hands of a mutual enemy helped them to weave themselves together, but they were also guided by genuine cultural similarities upon which a mutual understanding was built.
Central to the identity of a variety of African tribes were music and dancing. Jones notes they were “tied to multiple events in the life of the community, including not only significant ceremonial events, like weddings and funerals, but also mundane daily events…” Another unifying force was African cosmology and spiritual practice, which cut across tribal ethnicities. African spirituality included the concept of a High God assisted by lesser spirits. This description makes the acceptance of Christianity within enslaved communities instantly comprehensible: the holy trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would feel very familiar.
Initially, the singing and the dancing of enslaved people was viewed with suspicion and distaste by white clergy, and they denounced it as “antiChristian.” Their attempts to quash these forms of expression and convert the enslaved during the 18th century were not particularly successful, but a hundred years later in the American South, millions of enslaved people became Christian during the
Great Revival Movement. Despite their conversion, the enslaved kept their own African spiritual practices, effectively evolving existing Protestant services into a Black religious tradition—rejecting “dull” traditional hymns in their camp meetings for a livelier music. The incorporation of handclapping, rhythms and melodies from their own culture gave birth to the spiritual. At first, these songs were improvised based on an African call and response tradition. The words of traditional hymns were reinterpreted and adapted to the needs of the enslaved community. Folk spirituals (as opposed to concert spirituals which would go on to serve a different, though related, purpose for the Black community) encompassed biblical stories, protest, longing for freedom, deliverance, and triumph over oppression.
In addition, spirituals enabled enslaved people to communicate secretly, using code to communicate escape plans. Famous examples of these include Steal Away, Deep River, and Go Down, Moses . In their arrogance, white slave owners called them “meaningless” and “unintelligible.”
After the Civil War, spirituals began to evolve. Black colleges were founded to pave the way for economic and social advancement within a Eurocentric culture. One of these colleges was Fisk University, founded in 1866. Like many of these young institutions, Fisk struggled financially. In an effort to raise money, Fisk’s treasurer, George White (a white man), established the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The first concerts performed by the Fisk Singers included classical European repertoire, as well as choral arrangements of folk spirituals. White audiences were fascinated by the spirituals, and, in response, the choir centered their performance selections on spirituals, presented in a European concert style. While White’s arrangements eliminated the improvisational quality of the folk spiritual, the printed versions preserved the call and response, dialect, polyrhythms, melodies, text, and repetition of the originals. The Fisk Jubilee Singers inspired other such groups, and together, they introduced spirituals to audiences all over the world.
At the turn of the 20th century, Black composers – inspired by folk spirituals – began writing new spirituals, both for choir and for soloists. Eventually, composer-arrangers like Harry T. Burleigh (18661949) published arrangements of folk spirituals for solo voice with piano accompaniment, and the concert spiritual became American art song.
In keeping with this concert tradition and echoing the empowering expression of the folk spiritual, The Majesty of the Spiritual centers the work of four brilliant Black composers still creating in the 21st century: Lena McLin (whom we lost in 2023) and the living composers, Roland Carter, Jaqueline Hairston, and Uzee Brown, Jr., root themselves in the traditions of the folk spiritual while representing contemporary cries for freedom, justice, unity, mourning, and joy. Through their voices, we are invited to participate in the transformational tradition of the spiritual: coming together to form one community from many.
LYRICS
I’M A SOLDIER, LET ME RIDE! (arr. Lena McLin)
Oh, I’m a soldier, let me ride.
Low down the chariot, let me ride.
Up to the kingdom, let me ride.
Low down the chariot, let me ride.
To see my Savior, let me ride.
Low down the chariot, let me ride.
I’ve been a captain in the army of the Lord. Fighting for my Savior in the army of the Lord.
I had my war clothes on in the army of the Lord, So low down the chariot, let me ride.
WAIT TIL I PUT ON MY CROWN (arr. Lena McLin)
I came this night for to sing and pray, Oh yes! Oh yes!
To drive old Satan far away, Oh yes! Oh yes!
Heav’nly home is bright and fair, Oh yes! Oh yes!
But very few can enter there, Oh yes! Oh yes!
Oh wait ‘till I put on my crown
Oh yes, Oh yes.
If you want to catch that heav’nly breeze, Oh yes! Oh yes!
Go down to the valley on your knees, Oh yes! Oh yes!
Bow your knees upon the ground, Oh yes! Oh yes!
Ask your Lord to turn you ‘round Oh yes! Oh yes!
Oh wait ‘till I put on my crown
Oh yes, Oh, yes.
CALL JESUS (arr. Lena McLin)
The light that shines within you dispels darkness, doubt, and fear;
Let your light shine and your pathway will be clear. There will be no sickness, no problems, doubts or fear, For when God’s light shines through, his radiance will cure
Ev’ry ill, ev’ry fear, and peace and joy will be revealed. Call Jesus, call Jesus. He’s the light of the world. And if you call Him your blessings will surely unfold. Call Jesus. He’s the light of the world.
GREAT DAY (arr. Lena McLin)
Great day! Great day the righteous marching. Great day! God’s gonna build up Zion’s walls.
Chariot rode on the mountain top.
God’s gonna to build up Zion’s walls! My God spoke and the chariot did stop. God’s gonna to build up Zion’s walls!
This is the day of jubilee.
God’s gonna to build up Zion’s walls!
The Lord has set his people free.
God’s gonna to build up Zion’s walls!
Great day! Great day the righteous marching. Great day! God’s gonna build up Zion’s walls.
Take my breastplate sword in hand.
God’s gonna build up Zion’s walls. March out boldy through his land.
God’s gonna build up Zion’s walls.
Want no cowards in our band.
God’s gonna build up Zion’s walls. We call for valiant-hearted men.
God’s gonna build up Zion’s walls.
Great day! Great day the righteous marching. Great day! God’s gonna build up Zion’s walls.
DE ANGELS DONE BOWED DOWN
(arr. Lena McLin)
O de angels done bowed down.
O yes, my Lord.
While Jesus was a hanging upon the cross
The angels kept quiet til God went off And the angels hung their harps in the willow tree
To give satisfaction til God was pleased.
O de angels done bowed down.
O yes, my Lord.
His soul went up on the pillar of cloud, Then God he moved and the heavens did bow.
Jehovah’s sword was at his side,
On the empty air he begin to ride.
Go down angels to the flood
Blow out the sun, turn the moon into blood.
Come back angels, bolt the door, The time that’s been will be no more.
O de angels done bowed down.
O yes, my Lord.
HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT (arr. Lena McLin)
Hold out your light, ye heav’n bound soldiers. Let your light shine around this world.
Oh, sister won’t you hold out your light?
Let your light shine around this world.
Hold out your light, ye heav’n bound soldiers. Let your light shine around this world.
Oh, brother won’t you hold out your light?
Let your light shine around this world.
Hold out your light, ye heav’n bound soldiers.
Let your light shine around this world.
Oh, Christian won’t you hold out your light?
Oh sister, oh brother, won’t you hold out your light?
Let your light shine around this world.
SWEETEST SOUND I EVER HEARD
(arr. Roland Carter)
Sweetest sound, I ever heard Way over on the hill
Angel mourn’d and I mourn’d too, Lord, mourning with my sword in my hand.
Sweetest song, I ever heard Way over on the hill
Angel sang and I sang too Lord, singing with my sword in my hand.
O my brother you gotta be tried, O my Lord.
O my sister you gotta be tried, O my Lord.
When you come to the judgement you got to be tried
Ev’rybody’s that living has got to be tried.
Sweetest sound, I ever heard Way over on the hill
Angel prayed and I prayed too, Lord, praying with my sword in my hand.
TRYING TO GET HOME
(arr. Roland Carter)
Lord I’m bearing heavy burdens tryin’ to get home.
Lord I’m bearing heavy burdens tryin’ to get home.
Lord I’m bearing heavy burdens, Lord I’m bearing heavy burdens,
Lord I’m bearing heavy burdens tryin’ to get home.
Lord I’m climbing high mountains tryin’ to get home.
Lord I’m climbing high mountains tryin’ to get home.
Lord I’m climbing high mountains, Lord I’m climbing high mountains,
Lord I’m climbing high mountains tryin’ to get home.
Lord I’m standing hard trials.
Lord I’m standing hard trials.
Lord I’m standing hard trials, Lord I’m standing hard trials.
Lord I’m standing, climbing, bearing, tryin’ to get home.
STEAL AWAY
(arr. Roland Carter)
I ain’ got long to stay here.
Steal away. Steal away.
Steal away to Jesus.
Steal away. Steal away home. I ain’ got long to stay here.
My Lord calls me; He calls me by the thunder; The trumpet sounds within-a my soul. I ain’ got long to stay here.
Green trees are bending, Poor sinnuh stands a trembling. The trumpet sounds within-a my soul. I ain’ got long to stay here.
Steal away. Steal away home. I ain’ got long to stay here.
SAME TRAIN
(arr. Roland Carter)
Same train that carry my mother, same train, same train.
Same train, that carry my mother, Same train, it’ll be back tomorrow, Same train, same train, same train, same train.
Same train that carry my father, same train, same train. Same train, it’ll be back tomorrow, Same train, same train, same train, same train.
The gospel train is a-coming, She’s coming roun’ de curve, She’s loos’ning all her steam and brakes, And straining ev’ry nerve.
I hear de train a-coming; I hear it just at hand.
I hear dem car wheels rumbling And rolling through the land.
Get on board, get on board, on board! Get on board! There’s room for many a more.
Same train that carry my mother, same train, same train.
Same train, that carry my mother, Same train, it’ll be back tomorrow, Same train, same train, same train, same train. De fare is cheap and all can go, De rich and po’ are dere. No second class aboard dis train, No diff’rence in de fare.
So get on board, get on board, on board! Get on board! There’s room for many a more. Same train that carried my mother, same train!
OH, FREEDOM (arr. Roland Carter)
Oh, freedom, Oh freedom, Oh freedom over me.
An’ before I’d be a slave, I’ll be buried in-a my grave, and go home to my Lord and be free.
No more mourning, No more mourning over me.
An’ before I’d be a slave, I’ll be buried in my grave, and go home to my Lord an’ be free. Oh freedom, Oh freedom, Oh freedom, An’ before I’d be a slave I’ll be buried in my grave, and go home to my Lord and be free. Oh freedom.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE?
(arr. Roland Carter)
Is there anybody here who loves my Jesus? Anybody here who loves my Lord? I want to know if you love my Jesus, I want to know if you love my Lord. When I was blind and could not see, King Jesus brought the light to me, And when every star refuse to shine, I know King Jesus will be mine!
Is there anybody here who loves my Jesus? Anybody here who loves my Lord? I want to know if you love my Jesus, I want to know if you love my Lord.
O brethren this world is a wilderness of woe, So let us all to Glory go, Yes religion is like a blooming rose, And none but him who feels it knows That none but the righteous. None but the righteous shall see God. If there’s anybody here who loves my Jesus? Say Amen if you love my Lord! I want to know if you love my Jesus. I want to know if you love my Lord?
MOTHERLESS CHILE
(arr. Susheel Bibbs)
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, A long way from home, a long way from home.
Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone. Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone. Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone, A long way from home, a long way from home. True believer.
True believer. A long, long way from home. A long, long way from home.
DON’T FEEL NO-WAYS TIRED
(arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
I am seeking for a city, Hallelujah. For a city into the kingdom, Hallelujah. There’s a better day a-comin’, Hallelujah. When I leave this world of sorrow, Hallelujah, For to join the holy number, Hallelujah.
I don’ feel no-ways tired. Come too far from where I started from; Nobody tol’ me, the road would be easy; I don’ believe He brought me this far to leave me. I don’ feel no-ways tired, Children. Oh, Glory Hallelujah. For I hope to shout glory when this worl’ is on fire. Oh, Glory Hallelujah.
I don’ believe He brought me this far, I can’t believe He brought me this far, I won’t believe He brought me this far to leave me!
LORD I’LL GO
(arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
Lord I’ll go. Lord I’ll go! If the Lord wants somebody, Here am I, O Lord, send me.
PLENTY GOOD ROOM
(arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
Plenty good room, plenty good room, Good room in my Father’s Kingdom. Plenty good room, plenty good room, Why don’ you choose yo’ seat an’ sit on down! I would not be a sinner, I’ll tell you the reason, why, ‘Cause if my Lord should call on me, I wouldn’t be ready to die.
Plenty good room, plenty good room, Good room in my Father’s Kingdom. Plenty good room, plenty good room, Why don’ you choose yo’ seat an’ sit on down!
I would not be a backslider, I’ll tell you the reason, why, ‘Cause if my Lord should call on me, I wouldn’t be ready to die.
Plenty good room, plenty good room, Good room in my Father’s Kingdom. Plenty good room, plenty good room, Why don’ you choose yo’ seat an’ sit on down!
GUIDE MY FEET
(arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
Guide my feet, Lord, while I run this race. For I don’t want to run this race in vain.
Hold my hand, Lord, while I run this race. For I don’t want to run this race in vain.
Stan’ by me, Lord, while I run this race. For I don’t want to run this race in vain.
Guide my feet, Lord, while I run this race. For I don’t want to run this race in vain.
MY GOOD LORD DONE BEEN HERE
(arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
My Good Lord he done been here. He done been here. Yes, he been here. My Good Lord he done been here. He done-a bless-a my soul and-a gone. Now look-a here poor sinner. Jes’ get down on-a yo’ knees. And ask the mighty God I serve, To have-a mercy if you please.
Say-a my Good Lord he done been here. He done been here. Yes, he been here. My Good Lord he done been here. He done-a bless-a my soul and-a gone I would not be a backslider. I’ll tell you the reason why.
‘Cause if my lord should call on me, Jes’-a wouln’t be ready for to die!
Say-a my Good Lord he done been here. He done been here. Yes, he been here. My Good Lord he done been here. He done-a bless-a my soul and-a gone
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
(arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
This li’l light of mine, I’m gon’ let it shine; Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
All aroun’ this world, I’m gon’ let it shine; Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gon’ let it shine; Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
SPIRITUALS MEDLEY: BLESSED THREE
(arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine; Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Do Lord, O do Lord! Do remember me! Away beyond the blue!
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayed on freedom. Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.
COULDN’T HEAR NOBODY PRAY
(arr. Uzee Brown Jr.)
Couldn’t hear nobody pray, Lord, I couldn’t hear nobody pray. Oh, well, I was away down yonder by myself, And I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Dark was the night and cold the ground, On which my Lord was laid.
Great drops of blood like sweat rolled down, In agony he prayed.
Oh, Lord, I couldn’t hear nobody pray, Lord, I couldn’t hear nobody pray, Oh, well, I was way down yonder by myself, And I couldn’t hear nobody pray. Father, remove this bitter cup If such thy sacred will. If not content to drink it up, Thy pleasure I’ll fulfill.
Oh, Lord, I couldn’t hear nobody pray, Lord, I couldn’t hear nobody pray, Oh, well, I was way down yonder by myself, And I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
KEEP YOUR LAMPS TRIMMED AND BURNING
(arr. Uzee Brown Jr.)
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, The time is drawing nigh.
Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary Til your work is done.
Christian journey soon be over, Christian journey soon be over, Christian journey soon be over, The time is drawing nigh.
Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary Til your work is done.
Soon I will be done-a with the trouble of the world, Trouble of the world, the trouble of the world, Soon I will be done-a with the trouble of the world, The time is drawing nigh.
Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary, Children, don’t get weary Til your work is done.
Just keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Just keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, The time is drawing nigh.
THIS RIVER
(arr. Uzee Brown Jr.)
This river that runs through my life will never be uncrossable.
This river that washes the shores from sea to sea. This river that calls my name on both shores just the same.
This river shall never be uncrossable for me.
This river that runs through my life is a lifeline for me. This river that runs through my life is where I’ll always be. This river shall never be uncrossable for me.
These shores on which I stand apart shall never be unreachable.
These shores that give me back my heart and bind my future sure
Shall never divide my love, nor keep me from the above. This river shall never be uncrossable for me.
Oh, this river that runs through my life is a lifeline for me.
This river that runs through my life is where I’ll always be.
This river shall never be uncrossable for me.
I WANT TO DIE EASY WHEN I DIE
(arr. Uzee Brown Jr.)
I want to die easy when I die, when I die. I want to die easy when I die, when I die.
I want to die easy when I die, shout salvation as I fly; I want to die easy when I die, when I die.
I want to go to heaven when I die, when I die. I want to go to heaven when I die, when I die. I want to die easy when I die, shout salvation as I fly; I want to go to heaven when I die, when I die.
I want to see my mother when I die, when I die. I want to see my mother when I die, when I die.
I want to see my mother when I die, shout salvation as I fly;
I want to see my mother when I die, when I die. I want to see my Jesus when I die, when I die.
I want to see my Jesus when I die, when I die.
I want to see my Jesus when I die, Lord, shout salvation as I fly;
I want to see my Jesus when I die, when I die.
Walk with me, Lord, walk with me.
Walk with me, Lord! Yes, walk with me.
Walk with me, Lord, when I die. Shout salvation as I fly; I want to die easy when I die, when I die.
Lord, when I die.
Oh, Lord! When I die.
Lord when I die, shout salvation as I fly; I want to die easy when I die.
MORNIN’ TRAIN (arr. Robert Sims)
I’m goin’ home on mornin’ train
I’m goin’ home on mornin’ train
I’m goin’ home, I’m goin’ home
I’m goin’ home on mornin’ train
Got my ticket in my hand
Got my ticket in my hand
I’m goin’ home, I’m goin’ home
I’m goin’ home on mornin’ train
If you ain’t goin’ I’m goin’ on
If you ain’t goin’ I’m goin’ on
If you ain’t goin’, why ain’t you goin’?
If you ain’t goin’ I’m goin’ on
So get right church and let’s go home
Get right church and let’s go home
Get right church, get right church
Get right church and let’s go home
CAST & CREW BIOS
HOPE BRIGGS
Soprano
Critically acclaimed Verdi soprano, Hope Briggs is known for leading roles in Aida , Il trovatore , and Un ballo in maschera , now central to her repertoire. She made her San Francisco Opera debut as the Duchess of Parma in Busoni’s Doktor Faust . This season, she expanded her dramatic range with a role debut as Lady Billows in Albert Herring and appeared in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony , a gala concert of Tosca highlights, and Górecki’s Ad Matrem . Recent roles include Micaëla in Carmen , Ava in Rocking Horse Winner, and Odessa Clay in Approaching Ali , showcasing her versatility across classic and contemporary repertoire.
INDIRA MAHAJAN
Soprano
Indira Mahajan has earned international acclaim performing with leading opera companies and orchestras around the world. Praised for her “stunning” voice (Opera Wire) and “riveting performance” (Opera News), she is the recipient of numerous honors, including the prestigious Marian Anderson Award, the Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year Award from Dallas Opera, and New York City Opera’s Debut Artist of the Year Award. A native of New York City, Mahajan holds degrees from Oberlin College and the Mannes College of Music and currently serves on the faculty at Wagner College in New York.
SHAWNETTE SULKER
Soprano
Shawnette Sulker recently created and had world premiere performances of the roles Soprano Messiah Soloist ( Never Mind by B. Bernstein), Bulrusher in the eponymously titled opera by Stookey with West Edge Opera, and Susan B. Anthony ( Balls by Laura Karpman) with Opera Paralèlle. Other roles in her repertoire include the Queen of the Night, Constanze, and Musetta. Recent concert engagements include performances with the Poulenc Trio and Oakland Ballet. She’s sung with San Francisco Opera, American Bach Soloists, Mark Morris Dance Group, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Opera Montana, Opera Memphis, Opera Idaho, Eugene Symphony, and Winston-Salem Symphony, to name a few.
Soprano
Susheel Bibbs is an internationally acclaimed touring classical singer and EMMY award-winner. She debuted in Boston’s famed Jordan Hall and has toured in opera and concerts throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia for 30 years, including diverse presenters such as The Opera Company of Boston, Santa Fe Opera, Opera on PBS, Associate Artists (now Boston Lyric) Opera, series at Alice Tully Hall, The LA Mozart Orchestra, and Salzburg’s Mozarteum & Festival.
CYNTHIA CLAREY
Mezzo-Soprano
Cynthia Clarey joined the cabaret world in Chicago after 35 years as an international opera singer. She can be seen on film in L’incoronazione di Poppea with the Glyndebourne Festival Opera and in the award nominated Porgy and Bess directed by Sir Trevor Nunn. She also spent two years performing the role of Carmen in Sir Peter Brook’s La Tragédie de Carmen in Europe and at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in NYC. She also has two cabaret shows, “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” and “Bridge Over Muddied Waters.” She made her NYC cabaret debut at Laurie Beechman Theater in February 2022.
PATRICK DAILEY Countertenor
Patrick Dailey is an internationally recognized artist praised for his “powerful and elegant” voice (Los Angeles Daily News) and hailed as a “Vocal Standout” (Boston Classical Review). He has appeared with entities such as Opera Philadelphia, Grand Rapids Symphony, Shreveport Opera, Il Festival de Ópera Barroca (Brazil), and London’s Tête à Tête Opera Festival; and venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Dailey has collaborated with artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Jason Robert Brown and appeared on America’s Got Talent. He is Voice Professor at Tennessee State University and a nationally active arts leader.
ALBERT LEE
Tenor
Associate Professor of Music and Associate Dean at the Yale School of Music, Albert R. Lee is an internationally recognized tenor, recording artist, scholar, and educator bridging performance, research, and public discourse. Praised for “vocally sumptuous” and “musically distinctive” performances, his repertoire spans opera, oratorio, recital, and concert work. Lee is featured soloist on multiple recordings, including works by Pulitzer Prize–winning composer George Walker on Albany Records and the 2024 release A Breath of Air on Navona Records. A sought-after speaker, his TEDx talk, “When I Sing the Anthem,” offers a reflection on music, identity, and civic expression.
DONNIE RAY ALBERT Baritone
Louisiana native and LSU graduate Donnie Ray Albert began his operatic career after earning a Master of Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University in 1975, studying with Bruce Foote and Thomas Hayward. He has served as Senior Lecturer in Voice at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music since 2012. His 50-year career includes appearances at major venues worldwide, with recent roles at Cincinnati Opera and Houston Grand Opera. He will be inducted into Opera America’s Hall of Fame in 2026. His recordings include Grammy-winning releases on RCA and EMI.
ROBERT SIMS Baritone
Robert Sims has graced the stages of many prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. He has collaborated with celebrity artists such as Jessye Norman, Odetta, Simon Estes, and Frederica von Stade. His operatic credits include the recent world premiere of Freedom Ride with Chicago Opera Theater as well as other leading roles in the standard repertoire. Sims is the creator of The Majesty of the Spiritual . His work has been widely telecast, featuring solo appearances with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and PBS specials such as “American Masters”, “In the Spirit” and “Voices for Freedom”.
QUINTON GARDNER
Bass-Baritone
Quinton Gardner was recently seen in Portland Opera’s productions of The Shining , Falstaff, and La Bohème He studied theater at Cumnor House, Sevenoaks School and Bard College. Earlier Porland Opera credits include Carmen and Rusalka Local company credits include Resonance Ensemble, Renegade Opera, Oregon Bach Festival, Ping & Woof Opera, and Opera in the Park. He also fronts the Michael Jackson Metal tribute band Full Metal Jackson. Upcoming works include North American Indigenous Songbook at Resonance Ensemble, Dies Irae/Desiree at Third Angle New Music, and Verdi’s Requiem at Portland Opera in May, 2026.
FR.
KEN BAKER Director
Ken Baker is the original director for The Majesty of the Spiritual , having staged its Lincoln Center debut in 2019, and subsequent productions at San Francisco’s Herbst Theater, for the Martin Luther King Celebration at Aurora University, Aurora, IL, and at the 2024 NANM Convention, in Los Angeles. His collaboration with Robert Sims began in 2005, directing Robert’s Carnegie Hall debut. Over the past 20 years he has staged concerts featuring Robert Sims at the acclaimed Music in the Loft Chicago, and for Canti Classics, including the debut of Simon, Sykes and Sims, at the University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Chapel.
PAUL HAMILTON
Collaborative Pianist
Paul has created a diverse career as a pianist, recording artist, composer, music director, voice and acting coach, and film maker. He has amassed over 40 years of experience in recitals, opera and musical theatre, and 24 years in audio/video production. His original composition “Strings of Life” makes its world premiere in Chicago in February, 2026, featuring songs about the connections we make in life, with a focus on suicide prevention, and support and healing for those suffering from loss by suicide. Connections save lives!
STAFF
INTERIM GENERAL DIRECTOR
Tracy Wenckus
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Damien Geter
ARTISTIC AMBASSADOR
Karen Slack
ARTISTIC & MUSIC
Alfrelynn Roberts, Artistic Director
Alexis Hamilton, Associate Director of Education Outreach
Nicholas Fox, Associate Music Director
Ethan Cope Richter, Music Administrator and Librarian
Quinn Kun Liu, Music Assistant
Jasmine Johnson, Civic Engagement & Partnerships Manager
Amrit-Sadhana Boyd, Artistic Administrator
DEVELOPMENT
Beth Lewis, Director of Development
Carleena Manzi, Development Manager
Alexis Walker, Donor Benefits Coordinator
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Alexander Chester, Director of Finance
Paul Lovincey, HR & Operations Manager
Michael Martinez, Senior Accountant
MARKETING
Christina Post, Director of Marketing & Communications
Lizzie Adelsheim, Marketing Project Manager
Ervanny Astari , Social Media Manager
PATRON SERVICES
Magdalena Travis, Patron Services Manager
Chris Kim, Patron Services Supervisor
Jordan Catmull, Patron Services Representative
PRODUCTION
Anna B. Labykina, Director of Production
Kyle Spens, Technical and Production Director
Cindy Felice, Properties Director
Carl Faber, Lighting Supervisor
Pascaline LeFèbvre, Production Coordinator
Iain Chester, Warehouse Head
Addison Nuttbrock, Events Coordinator / Production & Office Assistant
PORTLAND OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Kregg Arntson, PRESIDENT ; Director, Community Impact | Executive Director, PGE Foundation
Carole Morse, PAST PRESIDENT ; Past President, PGE Foundation
Linda Brown, VICE PRESIDENT ; Owner, Brown’s Blueberries
Christine Lewis, VICE PRESIDENT ; Metro Councilor, District 2
Larry D. Roper, TREASURER ; Emeritus Professor of Language, Culture and Society, Oregon State University
Carol Turner, SECRETARY ; Civic Volunteer
MEMBERS
Nichole Anglin, Attorney, Innova Legal Advisors PC
Mayra Arreola, Chief Shared Prosperity Officer, Port of Portland
Regena Frieden, Chief Administrative Officer, Providence Health Plan
Laura Howe, Accounting Manager, On Point Community Credit Union
Ayaka Jones, Senior Account Executive, Finn Partners
Vanessa Valencia, Vice President of Financial Planning, On Point Community Credit Union
THANK YOU DONORS
Portland Opera would like to recognize the following donors of $100 or more for their generous contributions and support for the 2025/26 season. To learn more about giving to Portland Opera or for any corrections to your listing, please contact Giving@PortlandOpera.org.
Contributions received between 1/1/2025 and 2/5/2026:
Kay and Roy Abramowitz
Katherine Alderson
Anonymous
Joseph Alexander and Janine
Clayton
Farouk Al-Hadi
Robert Amundson and Sully
Taylor
Donald Andersen
Daniel Anderson and Joy Strand
Christopher Andrews
Sona Karentz Andrews
Nichole Anglin
Claire Ankrum
Elizabeth and Stephen Arch
Margaret and Scott Arighi
Iain Armstrong
Kregg Arntson and Ted Fettig
Annette Arrieta
Ron Attrell and Michael Oard
Nancy Babka and Michael Morgan
Liz Bacon Brownson
Robert Barham and Brad Jefferson
Jaime Barnard
Julia and Mark Barnes
Brent Barton
James and Kathryn Bash
Barbara A. Bass, in Memory of Sydney Bass
Anonymous
Wayne Bautista and Alfredo Pedroza
Phyllis L. Beemsterboer
Kate Beland
Richard and Myra Bennett
Sharlen Bennett
John and Dyann Bernatz
Jonathan Betlinski
Maryka Biaggio and Deborah Zita
Alene and Bruce Bikle
Elaine Blatt
Helen and Brian Blum
Barry Bolding
Liz Bonnett
Kathryn Bork
TM Boulton
Bobbie Bowser
The Breunsbach Family
William Bridge
Verlea Briggs
Frances Britt, In Memory of Maryann Dutton
Lily M. Brodrick
Jennifer Brooks
Matt and Marian Brouns
Doug and Deb Brown
Linda and Marcia Brown
Gregory Brumfield and Roberta Riportella
James Brunberg
Judy Brunner
Sherman Bucher
Kevin Bumatay
Virginia V. Burgess
Zoe Burke
Melissa Buxton
Leroy E. Bynum, Jr., DMA
James Callan
Anonymous
Laurie Campbell-Leslie
Maurine and Paul Canarsky
Ross Carey
Len Carpenter
Dr. Carlos Castro-Pareja and Lori Dunkin*
Joanna E. Ceciliani and Douglas G. Beckman
Shelly Chabon
Kevin Chan
Gagandeep Choudhary and Aprajita Jagpal
David Christopher
Sarah L. Claiborne
Ann Marie and David Coghill
Bradley Coiteux and Robert Halberg
Heather Coleman-Cox
Kristine Connolly
Tim and Tammy Cooper
Evelyn H. Couser
Berlioz the Cat
Lauri Noell Crocker
Stacy Cross
Janet Cruz*
Robert J. Currier
Tracy Curtis and Rick Nagore
Triston Dallas
Eloise Damrosch and Gary Hartnett
May D. Dasch
Joseph and Carol Davids
Katherine De La Forest and Zach Reichert
George and Barbara Dechet
David DeMoss and Geoffrey Wren
Anonymous
Florence M. DiLoreto
Susan C. Dixon
William and Suzanne Dolan
Christopher Domschke
Kate Donovan
In honor of Beverly Downer
Patricia Dresler
Shari L. Dunn
Susan Dunn
Dr. David Dunning
Michael A. Duvall
Ryan Dyson and Louise Hoover
In Honor of Dolores King
Se-ah-dom Edmo
Roger Edwards and Carol La Brie
Eleanor Lieber Auditions Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
Laura Engle Anonymous
Angelica Espinosa
Matthew and Emmanuella Essieh
Carl and Christine Farrington
Dr. Marilyn Farwell and Catherine King
Anonymous
Richard and Anne Feeney
Edward and Jeanette Feldhousen
Lynn Ferguson Anonymous
Nicole Forbes
Anne Francis
Regena Frieden
Anonymous
Emilie F. and Don C. Frisbee Fund of Oregon Community Foundation
Theresa Fritchle
Anonymous
Paul Gehlar
Larry and Marlis Gilman
Mark Greenfield
Diane Greenman
Nancy Greiff
Stephen L. Griffith
John Grigsby
Ed Gronke*
Marsha Gulick
Paul Gunderson
Anton Haas Jr.
Larry Hacek
Patrick G. Hager and Alessandra Capperdoni
Lois Haley
Kirk Hall
In Memory of Karyn Halloran - Tim Halloran
Mary Ellen Hamilton
Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland
Charlene Hannibal
Dr. Richard Harper
Katharine Hart
Laura Hassell
Judith A. Heath
Emily Hebbron
Fred and Harriet Hegge
Andrea and Ted Heid*
Wendy and Eric Hein
Jean Herrera
James S. Heuer
Marsh Hieronimus
Dr. Sharon M. Higgins
Glenda Hill
Gaynor Hillsand Greg Fleming
Andrew and Karina Hoan
Tom and Jane Hogan
Maryanne and David Holman
Anita Holser
Kimberly Howard
Carol and Tom Hull
Jennifer Humphreys
Romeo Ilie-Nicolof
Dan and Elsa Impens
In Memory of Marie Colasurdo - Marita
Ingalsbe
Robina Ingram-Rich and Tim
Rich
Nancy Jerrick
In Memory of Donald R. Ebert
Cheryl Johnson
Annette Jolin and Richard U’Ren
Becky and Jarrett Jones
Carina Juarez Estrada
Marge and Stephen Kafoury
Carole S. Keefer
Judith and Martin† Kelley
Christopher Kemper
Douglas and Dena Keszler
Suhail and Aisha Khan
Anita Klock
Bradley Alan Knotts
Anonymous
Debbie Koreski
Nagamani and Subramania Krishakumar
James Laden and Representative Robert Nosse
Leroy Landers
Grethe Larson and James Mullins
Drs. Fred and Catherine Lauritsen
John Lebens and Dory Kanter
Katherine Lefever
Brandon Lenzi
Dolores Leon, M.D.
Will Lesh
Julie and Nathan Leverenz
Joan Levers and David Manhart
Beth Lewis
Christine E. Lewis and Michael Selvaggio
Amy Light
Jane and Robert Lightell
Jason Lim
S. Anne Lince
Marjorie Lindblom
Craig and Anne Lindsay
Lisa K. Lipton
Adrienne Livingston
Henry Louderbough
Michael Louzao and Brandi Tuck
Paul Lovincey
Malaya N. Lualhati
Rob and Theresa Lusardi
Josh Lyons
Jerome Magill
Bill and Mary Mainwaring
Julia Marchesoni
The M. and L. Marks Family Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
Christina Marraccini
Joe A. Marrone
Wendy Martel Vilkin
Victoria L. Martusheff
Katsiaryna Masalava
Julie Mathews
Jessica Maxwell-Anderson
William Mayclin & Murray
Dunlap
Oscar and Mary Mayer
Joe McFerrin
Cleo A. McLeod*
Andrew and Heather McStay
Steve and Anna Mench
Charles Meshul and Maureen
Ober
Melody Mikkelsen
Sandra and Gary Miller
David and Sierra Modro
Karl and Betty Moore
Douglas and Malinda Moore
Susan D. Morgan, VMD
J. Michael Morrison
Carole Morse
Mueller-Crispin Cultural and Environment Fund
Martin Muller
Nancy Murray
Anonymous
Yooy and Joey Nelson
John and Ginger Niemeyer
Franco Nieto
Donna G. Noonan
Norris Dermatology & Lasers NW
Richard and Beverly North
Nancy H. Oberschmidt
Barbara and Sebastian Obrzut
John Ogden
Heather Ohta
Kris Oliveira
Anonymous
Janet Olson
Liz Olufson
Anonymous
Anonymous
Rodney and Sandi Page
Sujata Pagedar
Callie Pappas and John Winner
Daniel Mueller and JoAnn
Pari-Mueller
James Parker
Jane S. Partridge
Anonymous
John and Jollee Patterson
Janet and Donal Pedersen
Pete Perry
David and Karen Petersen
Martha Peterson
Kathleen Petrucela
Laura Polich
Frances Portillo
Phillip Potestio and Sally
Hudson
Scott and Tamara Prater
Ian and Alicia Preddy
John and Debbie Purcell
Sohyon Rahe
Russell Ramsey
Andrew Recinos
Mary and Russell Reid
W. W. & Linda Reid
Haley Reviere
Shannon Reynolds
Mrs. Charles Rhyne
Woody and Rae Richen
In Memory of Gerry Allen - Stephen and Leslie Robinson
Lynne Diane Roe, M.D.
Charlene Rogers
Terence Rokop
Larry D. Roper and Dina Lindquist
Carol Rose
Richard and Mary Rosenberg
Stuart and Holly Rosenblum
Marguerite Russell
Anonymous
Roger Sabbadini
Bunny and Jerry Sadis
Steven Saftig
Adam Gregory Salazar
Steve and Chris Satterlee
In Honor of Larry Roper - Tom and Cesie Scheuermann
Anonymous - (In memory of Mayer D. Schwartz)
Sarah Schwarz
Members of the Portland Opera Chorus
Hal and Diana Scoggins
Mary Seitz
Anonymous
Anonymous
Robyn Shuey
Darsein and Gary Shull
Brandon Arends and Anne Sires
Caren Smeltzer and Herman Migliore
Cathleen L. Smith
Robert and Patricia Smythe
Sue and Drew Snyder
Neil Soiffer and Carolyn Smith
William Space and Allen Brady
Bob Speltz
Dr. Jessica Spies
Alice Spitzer
Robert and Melanie Spitzer
Charles and Karen Springer
Rakesh Sridharan
Beverly and Larry St. Clair
David Staehely
Michelle Stark
John and Carol Steele
In Memory of Garry Stensland
Barbara A. Stephens
Kristin Sterling and Lorin Wilkerson
N. Robert and Barre Stoll
Petar Stoyanov
Eric and Cyndi Strid
Rebecca Sudduth
L. Susan Sullivan
In Memory of Richard E Swart
Hank Swigert and Marlene Koch
Laszlo Szidonya
Charles Talbot
Krista Tappan
Claudia Taylor, M.D.
Anna Taylor-Richter
Rick and Carol Terrell
Charitable Fund of the Oregon Community Foundat
Kenneth Thrasher
In Honor of Sue DixonAndrea Tichy
Dr. Matti and Najla Totonchy
Jo Ann and Ric Tower
Homero Trevino Lopez
Su Tunney and James DePew
Tara Turnbull
David and Carol Turner
Russell Turner and Urszula
Iwaniec
Rose Etta Venetucci
Dave and Christine Vernier
Julie Vigeland
Jessica Virnig
Helen Ann Volpe
Jeanette Waddle
Mark Ward
Wendy Ware and Dan Gleason
John Weisensee
Tracy Wenckus
Michael and Lisa Wenzlick
Anonymous
Claire Westdahl
Anonymous
The Estate of Ben and Elaine Whiteley
Priscilla Bernard Wieden
Andrew Wilson and RonnieGail Emden
Julie Wilson
Katherine and Keith Wilson
Ana Winner
Athanasia I. Winner
Stephen Winter
Dr. and Mrs. David S. Wisdom
CP Wise
Linda M. Wood
Anne Workman
Clark Worth and Leslie Lehmann
Dr. Greg Zarelli and Mr. John Bush*
Katherine Zeller and David Hill
Kathryn Zerbe
John and Nancy Zernel
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing philanthropic support from our generous donors and funders.
OUR MISSION
We gather and inspire audiences, artists, and collaborators to create shared opera experiences that enliven and connect us all, enhancing the cultural landscape of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
OUR VISION
We celebrate the power of performance, storytelling, and song as an inclusive artistic leader.