World Premiere Elijah’s Call: An Oratorio for an Abolitionist

“Elijah’s Call” immortalizes Elijah Parish Lovejoy, a courageous preacher and editor who, in 1837, stood resolute against the tide of slavery. In a small, turbulent frontier town, Elijah’s impassioned anti-slavery editorials printed in his newspaper, the “Alton Observer”, spurred a violent pro-slavery mob to shoot and kill him in cold blood. Over time, the tale of Elijah’s sacrifice became a beacon of hope, inspiring renowned abolitionists and political leaders across the nation, including John Brown and Abraham Lincoln, to commit themselves to the enduring struggle for justice and equality in America.

“Elijah’s Call: An Oratorio for an Abolitionist” was born from Allison Lovejoy’s response to the tragic killing of George Floyd and the ensuing wave of racial justice protests. The piece aims to reignite the spirit of unity and advocacy for social change. A distant relative of Elijah Lovejy, Allison channels her ancestral connection into a work that bridges past and present, inviting audiences to reflect on and engage in the ongoing quest for civil rights.

The world premiere of “Elijah’s Call” will feature renowned civil rights activist and attorney Walter Riley as narrator, with acclaimed vocalists Michael Desnoyers (Tenor), Melinda Martinez-Becker (Mezzo-Soprano), and Bradley Kynard (Bass) bringing the oratorio’s poignant arias to life. Under the baton of Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus’ Music Director, Urs Leonhardt Steiner, the evening promises to be a transformative experience.

The program will also feature “Symphony No. 4” by Florence Price (1887-1953). The piece premiered on June 15, 1933, at the Chicago World’s Fair, and was the first performance of a symphony written by an African American woman ever to be performed by a major symphony orchestra. The evening will also feature a moving performance by the Men’s Choir from Acts Full Gospel Church of God in Christ in Oakland, directed by Chris Poston, who will present a selection of African American spirituals, enriching the concert with today’s soulful echoes of tradition and resilience.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon where music meets history, and help Allison Lovejoy and the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus sound the call for justice to resonate through the ages.

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 – 2:00 PM – Palace of Fine Arts – San Francisco

Tickets: www.citiyboxoffice.com/ggsoc.

Tickets available online or at the door, with discounts for seniors and students under 18.

Two pre-concert panel discussions will also explore “Elijah’s Call”, featuring musical excerpts and composer Allison Lovejoy, librettist Gary Kamiya, and music director Urs Leonhardt Steiner discussing the process of researching, composing and premiering the piece, and the social impact of activists like Elijah Parish Lovejoy.

Pre-concert panel discussions are free and open to the public

Saturday October 19 – 3pm
Project Artaud Salon Series
Sculpture Studio
401 Alabama Street, SF

Wednesday October 30 – 6pm
SF Public Library Main Branch
Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin Street, SF

Research and composition of “Elijah’s Call: An Oratorio for an Abolitionist” funded by an SF Arts Commission Individual Artist Grant.