Overture Magazine - 2018-19 Season BSO_Overture_MAR_APR | Page 31

PORGY AND BESS 2006, MSUC traveled to Prague for two concerts with Maestro Paul Freeman and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. In 2008, MSUC performed at Carnegie Hall on two separate occasions; under the baton of Bobby McFerrin with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and with Marin Alsop and the BSO. Since 2008, the choir has performed all over the world, including in Russia, South Africa, Colombia, China, Brazil, Jamaica, Qatar, Australia and Argentina. MSUC gave the world-premiere performance of Hannibal Lokumbe’s One Land, One River, One People with the Philadelphia Orchestra. In February 2017, the choir performed All Rise with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. In 2016, the choir toured Cuba, where they had concerts in Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Havana. In 2017, the choir toured Spain and Portugal. More recently, MSUC sang for the homegoing service of Dick Gregory in Washington, D.C., which was aired live on TV One around the country. In December, the choir performed the Sacred Concerts of Duke Ellington with the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra at the Nation Museum of Natural History. MSUC has shared its musical gifts on many grand stages all over the world— with numerous dignitaries and celebrated performers — making them cultural ambassadors for Morgan State University, the City of Baltimore, the state of Maryland and the United States. MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE Thursday, April 11, 2019, 8 pm JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL Friday, April 12, 2019, 8 pm Saturday, April 13, 2019, 8 pm Sunday, April 14, 2019, 3 pm Marin Alsop, conductor Directed by Hana S. Sharif Morgan State University Choir, Eric Conway, director CAST Bess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laquita Mitchell, soprano Porgy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rodney Earl Clarke, bass-baritone Crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lester Lynch, baritone Sportin’ Life . . . . . . . . . . Larry Hylton, tenor Serena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reyna Carguill, soprano Clara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jasmine Habersham, soprano George Gershwin Porgy and Bess Act I INTERMISSION Act II Act III The concert will end approximately at 10 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday. PRESENTING SPONSOR: SUPPORTING SPONSOR: About the Artists Marin Alsop For Marin Alsop’s bio, please see pg. 7. Morgan State University Choir The Morgan State University Choir (MSUC) has performed around the world to critical acclaim. While classical, gospel and contemporary popular music comprise the choir’s repertoire, the choir is noted for its emphasis on preserving the heritage of the spiritual, especially in the historic practices of performances. Named “Best College Choir” in 2004 by Reader’s Digest, MSUC has performed with several major symphony orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Eric Conway is the Director of MSUC and chairperson of the Fine Arts Department. During his tenure, Conway has led the choir to many acclaimed performances, including a special performance at the service honoring Rosa Parks, the first woman to lie in honor at our nation’s Capital Rotunda. In July Morgan State University Choir last appeared with the BSO in December 2018, performing in Gospel Christmas with CeCe Winans, Eric Conway, conductor. M A R –A P R 201 9 / OV E R T U R E 29