Park Avenue Armory, in co-commission with Asia Society, will present the world premiere of “Shall We Gather at the River” on May 21, 2024.

The showcase is a musical call to action against climate change that features Black American Spirituals and Bach Cantatas. The performance is staged by Peter Sellars and features performances by Oxford Bach Soloists, Choir of Trinity Wall Street, countertenor Reginald Mobley, tenor Nick Pritchard, bass Jonathan Woody, soprano Molly Quinn, and sheng player Wu Tong. Reggie (Regg Roc) Gray provides choreography for the showcase.

“’Shall We Gather at the River’ is an inventive and deeply moving synthesis of musical genres that dares to confront one of the world’s most existential issues with hope and unity,” said Pierre Audi, the Anita K. Hersh Artistic Director of Park Avenue Armory, in an official press statement. “We’re delighted to welcome longtime Armory collaborators Peter Sellars and Reggie Gray back to the Drill Hall to bring to life this performance that reaffirms the power of music as a universal language that can connect us with each other and our planet.”

“What does the music of J.S. Bach and Black American spirituals have in common? They are both heartfelt musical expressions of the frailty of life and the abuses we humans have too often heaped on our planet and our fellow inhabitants,” added Orville Schell, Asia Society Vice President and Arthur Ross Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations. “In gathering ‘at the river that flows by the throne of God’ we aim to inspire audiences and bring our voices together to respond to our shared global predicament through song.”

“Shall We Gather at the River” is part of the COAL + ICE exhibition and series of programs.