The inimitable Karen Slack performed a new work for soprano and orchestra by Brittany J. Green, whose predilection towards the interdisciplinary results in works that break free of traditional messaging. Letters to America was no exception with its daring but precise matching of texts that ranged from the Declaration of Independence – sung with eerie, chopping insistence – to a poetic, poignant text by Green, ‘Black Like Me’, which Slack sang as a polished aria fit for an operatic climax. To complete the cycle, a letter to women titled ‘Black Pearls’ powerfully mixed classical, pop, jazz and talking. Slack performed it with exuberance and versatility to cheers from the audience.
