The Crossing is debuting Harold Meltzer’s “You Are Who I Love” at a Philadelphia concert on March 17th.

The vocal ensemble, conducted by Donald Nally, and accompanied by the experimental percussion quartet, Sandbox, is premiering Meltzer’s piece which is based on a poem of the same name by Aracelis Girmay.

“You Are Who I Love” is an ode to the working class undocumented immigrant community, detailing the triumphs and tragedies of their daily lives. Initially intended to debut before the 2020 election, but beset by multiple delays, the work is finally ready for its world premiere. The piece is dedicated to composer Lewis Spratlan who died this February. Spratlan was a frequent collaborator with The Crossing, a relationship that produced multiple recordings. Mr. Spratlan, who fittingly mentored the piece’s composer, Harold Metzler, in composition, is  survived by his son, Dan, who is a bass singer in The Crossing.

The concert will also include two movements from from Sarah Rimkus’s “Babylon”, and two pieces from, Ēriks Ešenvalds  “The First Tears”, and “Earth Teach Me Quiet.” These works, bookending “You Are Who I Love” are intended to center the new work and compliment its tone.

The March 17 performance will be at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill 8855 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA at 5 p.m. local time.