Perle Noire: Meditations on Joséphine is a tour-de-force featuring soprano Julia Bullock, with original music by Tyshawn Sorey.  Texts by Claudia Rankine frame a portrait of the historic singer, played and sung by Bullock, in which several of Baker's classic songs are reimagined and given new expressive depth.  The New York Times calls Perle Noire “one of the most important works of art yet to emerge from the era of Black Lives Matter," and one of the best classical music concerts of 2016.  The first performance of the work in Chicago, this concert will be a celebration of Presidents' Day, Black History Month, and the new Stony Island Arts Center.  Not to be missed.

Julia Bullock, soprano
Alice Teyssier, flute
Ryan Muncy, saxophone
Rebekah Heller, bassoon
Jennifer Curtis, violin
Daniel Lippel, guitar
Tyshawn Sorey, composer, drums and piano

This event is made possible by the generous support of The A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation, as well as contributions from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.