Fred Onovwerosuoke and Coro Allegro

by Anthony R. Green

Super late BIBA, but better late than never! This Sunday, Coro Allegro - Boston's LGBTQ+ and allied classical chorus - will present a concert entitled America/We Need To Talk. Yesterday (Thursday, March 21, 2019) I had the pleasure of attending a rehearsal for this performance, and I got the honor to meet the featured composer for this concert, Fred Onovwerosuoke, more lovingly referred to as FredO! Along with William Grant Still's seminal work "And They Lynched Him on a Tree", the concert will feature two works by FredO : "Caprice for piano and orchestra", and the world premiere of "A Triptych of American Voices: a Cantata for the People". All of the works contain subtle and bold power, all from diverse approaches. Additionally, the concert is a celebration of Blackness and HUMANITY in a way that is honest, as opposed to a manner that seems like the organization is just ticking boxes. 

Castle of our Skins artistic director Ashleigh Gordon is playing viola in the upcoming performance. Her presence and artistry synergistically blends with the sound and artistry of the orchestra and the singers of Coro Allegro, under the baton of David Hodgekins. As I entered the back room and met FredO for the first time, I could feel the warmth and light eminating from this nice, gentle man. He is truly a gift to humanity, and has important messages to tell from his heart with words and from the depth of his soul through his music. 

Recently, Ms. Yoshi Campbell - singer and blogger with Coro Allegro - interviewed FredO for the Coro Allegro Blog. In this interview, FredO describes his new cantata as so:
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The entire work is designed as a partnership of voices and musicians sharing aspects of one grand song. It is a commentary on the contemporary American political climate, of a people seemingly entrapped in ongoing, unrelenting and partisan tribal political discourse, of a people who indeed “know why the caged bird sings.” You can hear it right from the leitmotif first uttered by the flute in the overture.

You can read the entire interview HERE and watch a promotional video HERE!

Congratulations, FredO and Coro Allegro!!

If you go:
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Sanders Theater (Harvard University Campus), 3PM
​More info and buy tix ($15 - $65): HERE!