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Sing Freedom: African American Spirituals

Presented by Conspirare--Craig Hella Johnson & Company of Voices at St. Martin's Lutheran Church

October 1-October 2, 2010

Avg. Event Rating (4.3 Stars):
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Experience the exaltation as Conspirare rings the rafters with African American spirituals. Born of yearning but bursting with hope, spirituals are quintessential American music – powerful, profound expressions of universal human feeling. Hear old favorites like “City Called Heaven” and “Walk Together, Children” plus some new surprises, all performed with stirring artistry. Spirituals are among the most popular repertoire in Conspirare’s history, and when you hear this concert you’ll know why.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    St. Martin's Lutheran Church

    606 West 15th Street
    Austin, TX 78701

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    Reserved $44, $38, $25 (Group and student discounts available; please call for info.).

    Info Phone: 512-476-5775

    Buy Tickets

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    October 1-October 2, 2010

    Times:
    

    8:00PM

  • Accessibility Info

    

    For wheelchair accessible seats, please place your entire order by phone at (512) 476-5775.

  • Video & Image Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Sing Freedom: African American Spirituals
      "Glorious Voices"
      Review posted by: Vicki McKain from Austin, TX, Oct 02, 2010
      

      From soft and delicate to bold and powerful the harmonizing voices of Conspirare were beautiful to hear. With the steady layering of voices, single voices were not solo for long. Throughout songs... Expand

      From soft and delicate to bold and powerful the harmonizing voices of Conspirare were beautiful to hear. With the steady layering of voices, single voices were not solo for long. Throughout songs individual voices would emerge, soar, and absorb back into the choir. The songs were inspiring and poignant. The rendition of "Sometimes I feel Like a Motherless Child" brought a tear to my eyes as well as did some of the others. Other songs were energetic and joyful. All were performed with expression and depth elicited from the choir by Craig Hella Johnson's interpretations of arrangements old and new. A church is a great choice for such a performance and the sound was perfect in St. Martin's. Recommend this show especially to lovers of African American Spirituals and history. Collapse

    • Event Name: Sing Freedom: African American Spirituals
      "Conspirare!"
      Review posted by: Zelda Austen from Austin, Tx, Oct 01, 2010
      

      There's nothing new in saying that Conspirare is an Austin treasure. I had never heard them before, and for the first fifteen minutes I was simply speechless at the beauty of the sound. They sang... Expand

      There's nothing new in saying that Conspirare is an Austin treasure. I had never heard them before, and for the first fifteen minutes I was simply speechless at the beauty of the sound. They sang African American spirituals for the entire program, and the tone of plaintive suffering was exquisitely apropos! The Director, Craig Johnson, keeps them in check and restrained at the beginning of the songs, and when the crescendo swells slowly at the end of the piece, you want to cry. The songs were arranged by several 20th century composers, some still living, who have elevated this folk music with African roots to "high art." There were times when I wished for "less art," and wanted the more robust unconstrained sounds of a gospel choir, but that's not what Conspirare does. This is not down to earth, but very elevated and poetic stuff. The director talked about one of the pieces being inspired by a black woman of 19 who was auctioned, and how "it broke her heart." Indeed. Collapse

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Sing Freedom: African American Spirituals
      "Glorious Voices"
      Review posted by: Vicki McKain from Austin, TX, Oct 02, 2010
      

      From soft and delicate to bold and powerful the harmonizing voices of Conspirare were beautiful to hear. With the steady layering of voices, single voices were not solo for long. Throughout songs... Expand

      From soft and delicate to bold and powerful the harmonizing voices of Conspirare were beautiful to hear. With the steady layering of voices, single voices were not solo for long. Throughout songs individual voices would emerge, soar, and absorb back into the choir. The songs were inspiring and poignant. The rendition of "Sometimes I feel Like a Motherless Child" brought a tear to my eyes as well as did some of the others. Other songs were energetic and joyful. All were performed with expression and depth elicited from the choir by Craig Hella Johnson's interpretations of arrangements old and new. A church is a great choice for such a performance and the sound was perfect in St. Martin's. Recommend this show especially to lovers of African American Spirituals and history. Collapse

    • Event Name: Sing Freedom: African American Spirituals
      "Conspirare!"
      Review posted by: Zelda Austen from Austin, Tx, Oct 01, 2010
      

      There's nothing new in saying that Conspirare is an Austin treasure. I had never heard them before, and for the first fifteen minutes I was simply speechless at the beauty of the sound. They sang... Expand

      There's nothing new in saying that Conspirare is an Austin treasure. I had never heard them before, and for the first fifteen minutes I was simply speechless at the beauty of the sound. They sang African American spirituals for the entire program, and the tone of plaintive suffering was exquisitely apropos! The Director, Craig Johnson, keeps them in check and restrained at the beginning of the songs, and when the crescendo swells slowly at the end of the piece, you want to cry. The songs were arranged by several 20th century composers, some still living, who have elevated this folk music with African roots to "high art." There were times when I wished for "less art," and wanted the more robust unconstrained sounds of a gospel choir, but that's not what Conspirare does. This is not down to earth, but very elevated and poetic stuff. The director talked about one of the pieces being inspired by a black woman of 19 who was auctioned, and how "it broke her heart." Indeed. Collapse

• Media
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