‘The Ballad of The Brown King’

The Syracuse Opera will present “The Ballad of The Brown King” by Harlem Renaissance composer Margaret Bonds and writer Langston Hughes Dec. 12. The work tells the story of King Balthazar of the Magi. It first premiered in 1954. Bonds later orchestrated it, dedicating the work to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a 1960 performance. The Syracuse Opera Chorus will be joined by guest soloists Kearstin Piper Brown, Danan Tsan and Jeremiah Abiah. Artistic director and conductor Maestro Christian Capocaccia leads the performers and Dr. Theresa Chen of Syracuse University Setnor School of Music will serve as guest pianist. Additional performers include a number of local artists: Marcia Hagan, Ava Yancy, Sonya Sayles-Hines, Sandra Dee Miller, Gloria Graham, Mary Carroll, Natalie Roane, Danielle Mitchell, Michael Jones, Eric Dixson, Patricia Price and Jack Manno.

The performance is free and open to the public. Reservations may be made through syracuseopera.com and are required. Proof of double COVID vaccination is also required to attend.