J’Nai Bridges To Star In Damien Sneed’s ‘Our Journey: 400 Years From Africa To Jamestown’ At Carnegie Hall

By David Salazar

Composer and pianist Damien Sneed is set to showcase his new opera “Our Journey: 400 Years From Africa to Jamestown,” at Carnegie Hall on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019.

The world premiere performance will star mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and baritone Will Liverman alongside the Chorus Le Chateau and the Sphinx Virtuosi Orchestra.

The opera highlights the challenges and difficulties that Africans experienced as they were forced into slavery and transported to America. The work features a wide range of musical styles that include spirituals, gospel, and jazz.

“It’s always a pleasure performing at Carnegie Hall,” Sneed stated in a press release. “Out of the many times I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall as a solo vocalist, pianist, and conductor, this will be my third time performing a world premiere there.

“In December 2012, I was the solo pianist with orchestra for my friend Diogo Pereira’s composition ‘Fiel Herzog’ and the second time in October 2017 accompanying baritone Justin Michael Austin on piano for my composition ‘I Dream A World’ based on the poem by Langston Hughes.”

Sneed is also set to world premiere his new chamber opera “Marian’s Song” at the Houston Grand Opera on March 5, 2020. “Marian’s Song” takes a look at the life of legendary opera singer Marian Anderson.

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