The Nation’s Top Black and Latinx Classical Soloists Focus
on Social Justice through Music
Chamber ensemble that transforms lives through music to perform in Saint Paul
The Sphinx Virtuosi have left an indelible mark on audiences across the nation who have witnessed the greatness that comes from the performances by the nation’s top black and Latinx classical string soloists. Audiences in the Twin Cities will have the same opportunity when the chamber ensemble returns to Saint Paul for the fourth year.
The “For Justice and Peace” program will be at 3pm on Sunday, March 1 in the Ordway Concert Hall, located at 345 Washington Street in Saint Paul. Tickets start at $16 for adults and are free for kids and students. There will also be an education performance the following day at 10:30 am for school groups.
The orchestra will perform music by composers who wove themes of justice and peace into their work without regard to time or place. Bassist Xavier Foley, who is a member of the Sphinx Organization and this year’s composer-in-residence, created the signature work, “For Justice and Peace,” as a tribute to the theme of the performance.
“I was immediately moved by how relevant and urgent the theme was to the issues of our time,” said Foley. “On this program, Philip Herbert, looked to solace when justice could not be served for an 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence, whose life was lost to a tragic incident of violence.”
“Other works on this program bring back the issues dating from slavery, Civil Rights era to the modern-day echoes from Venezuela and beyond,” he continued. “I felt that it was my job to then illustrate how the issues of justice and peace remain critical to our society today.”
Other composers on the program include Michael Abels, Béla Bartók, Philip Herbert, Jessie Montgomery, Aldemaro Romero, and Franz Schubert.
Hennepin Theatre Trust has engaged two of the musicians after the education performance on March 2 to present a musical demonstration, lecture, and Q and A at the FAIR School in downtown Minneapolis.
Since its founding in 2004, Sphinx Virtuosi has defined itself as the most diverse professional chamber orchestra in the country. This ensemble’s dynamic approach to music-making offers an experience of unmatched vibrancy for seasoned and new audiences alike. Comprised of 18 of the nation's top black and Latinx classical soloists, these artists tour annually as cultural ambassadors to communities far and wide.
“The phenomenal work of the Sphinx Organization to increase diversity within the orchestral field is astonishing,” said Arts Partnership President Ryan Taylor. “The Arts Partnership is so pleased to host them for a fourth consecutive year and give the opportunity for even more community members to experience the sheer brilliance of this ensemble. We are also excited to add a vocal component this year in soprano and future Minnesota Opera artist Elaine Alvarez, who will be contributing to this already unique and dynamic program.”
This performance is co-presented by the Arts Partnership – the Minnesota Opera, the Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and The Schubert Club.
Tickets are available for purchase online at ordway.org/sphinx, by phone at 651-224-4222, or in person at the Ordway ticket office. The performance will also be broadcasted live on Minnesota Public Radio.
Purchase Tickets Here
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ABOUT THE ARTS PARTNERSHIP
The Arts Partnership is a nonprofit collaboration between the Minnesota Opera, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and The Schubert Club, intended to strengthen its member organizations in service to the community through stewardship of its shared assets. Recognized as a national model of arts community collaboration, the Arts Partnership is co-presenting Sphinx Virtuosi and will host Family Arts Blast, a free event where children of all ages can get hands-on interaction with music, dance, and theater on April 25, 2020. Both events will be held at the Ordway, which has a 1,900-seat Music Theater, a 1,100-seat Concert Hall, and magnificent lobbies.
