“I call them the Wu-Tang Clan of opera and classical music.” Soprano Karen Slack and Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley discuss the extraordinary collaboration behind African Queens, a powerful song cycle created by seven visionary composers: Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon and Joel Thompson—collectively known as the #Blacknificent7. 🗓️ Join us for the world premiere of African Queens for Soprano and Orchestra on January 8-

Here’s a sneak peek of soprano Karen Slack’s "African Queens" performance with Kevin Miller, piano that we’re presenting in March as the third-annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Recital! The evening-length vocal recital of art songs celebrates the history and legacy of seven African queens, revered as rulers but not widely heralded in the western world. Washington Performing Arts is proud to be a project co-commissioner of “African Queens.” Learn more: https://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/e