How runaway slave advertisements became a haunting musical exploration of American liberty
In short: Composer Shawn Okpebholo and poet Tsitsi Ella Jaji transform historical runaway slave advertisements into a powerful song cycle. This performance from The Met examines the complex realities of freedom by giving voice to individuals who risked everything to liberate themselves from enslavement.
The work draws from the 'Freedom on the Move' database, a Cornell University project launched in 2019 that archives over 30,000 advertisements placed by enslavers in early American newspapers. These records, which include names, physical descriptions, and rewards, serve as the primary inspiration for the composition.
By setting these historical snapshots to music, Okpebholo and Jaji challenge conventional narratives surrounding American liberty. The piece, titled 'four martins – a dirge,' premiered at The Met on January 12, 2023, featuring soprano Karen Slack and countertenor Reginald Mobley.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Shawn E. Okpebholo: “four martins – a dirge” from Songs in Flight | MetLiveArts
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