Mezzo Soloist
An African American Requiem
Featuring the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Damien Geter
This profound work by Damien Geter was recently premiered May 7 by the Resonance Ensemble and Oregon Symphony, and is the first Requiem to honor African Americans who have lost their lives due to racial violence. Mr. Geter has integrated the traditional Latin Requiem with contemporary text, such as Ida B. Wells speech from 1909, Lynching is Color Line Murder, civil rights declarations, poetry, and the famous last words of Eric Garner and now George Floyd, “I can’t breathe”. The music is infused with elements of jazz, gospel, and spirituals. Presented in 19 movements, the Requiem will be conducted by Mr. Geter himself with soloists Bernard Holcomb, Karmesha Peake, Brandie Sutton, Thomas Cannon, poet and heARTivist Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, the Fort Worth Opera Chorus, prepared by Alfrelynn Roberts, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. This epic symphonic social commentary will honor past and present victims of racial violence and spur reflection on how to build a more hopeful future.