Black Classics Symposium

Classical music is a timeless and universal art form, transcending geographic and cultural boundaries. Although traditionally associated with the western canon, the richness of classical music is indebted to the diverse influences and contributions from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora.

This symposium brings together leading artistic directors, composers and musicians for a discussion exploring the landscape of Black-led classical music and opera. The programme will reflect on the work of historic pioneers such as Florence Price, the first Black American woman to have her symphony performed by a major orchestra, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a trailblazing French composer and virtuoso violinist and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a pioneering Black British composer. But the conference will also give precedence to contemporary trailblazers who have now taken classical music and opera into new realms, ensuring that the genre is not just a relic of the past, but a living, evolving tradition that thrives on the diverse voices and experiences of its contributors.

The line up of confirmed contributors includes:

Philip Herbert, award-winning composer, arranger and orchestrator. His compositions include ‘Elegy – In Memoriam to Stephen Lawrence’, ‘Ballare: To Dance’ and ‘Silent Aria’ and his work has been performed by and for the Philharmonia, Sinfonia Viva, London Mozart Players, London Symphony Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra, BBC, Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage and many others.

Alison Buchanan, Artistic Director of Pegasus Opera Company and international soprano. She has performed extensively around the world collaborating with Andre Previn, Dame Joan Sutherland, Placido Domingo, Franco Zeffirelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Sir Willard White and many others. She is the only Black female director of a European opera company and was featured on Queen Charlotte, A Bridgerton Story.

The ticket covers a place at the Black Classics Symposium at Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, 2.00pm – 4.30pm and the Black History Month Launch: Black Classics Concert at Leicester Cathedral, 7.30pm.

Image Credit: Portrait of Joseph Bologne, Chevaller de Saint-Georges. Public Domain