Soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme to Perform in Dear Mrs. Parks with DSO

Soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme to Perform in Hannibal Lokumbe's Dear Mrs. Parks with DSO in March 2009

American soprano Janice Chandler- Eteme has established an international reputation for her musical sensitivity, astonishing vocal agility and memorable dramatic presence. She has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras and opera companies, and collaborated with renowned conductors worldwide. She continues to make her mark with an ever-growing recital, operatic and Gospel music repertoire to critical acclaim. Ms. Chandler-Eteme will perform in Hannibal Lokumbe's oratorio, 'Dear Mrs. Parks' on March 6th, 7th and 8th, 2009 with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Thomas Wilkins. The performance will also be recorded for a Naxos release.

Hailed as "one of the loveliest soprano voices on earth" by The Baltimore Sun, Ms. Chandler-Eteme has recently returned from a triumphant performance of Porgy and Bess in Nantes, France. "We will remember for a long time ... this radiant and fragile Bess who reminds us that Gershwin liked heroines created in the style of Puccini..." wrote Diapason.

Ms. Chandler-Eteme professes to be one of composer Hannibal Lokumbe's great admirers and close friends. She premiered his work for soprano and orchestra, 'One Heart Beating' several years ago, and only recently performed the role of the angel in his dramatic work based on the life of Medgar Evers, the slain civil rights leader.

Lokumbe's dramatic and moving tribute to the heroism of the famed civil rights activist, 'the mother of the modern civil rights', and beloved Detroit icon, was originally commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2005. "Dear Mrs. Parks' is a prayer of music and words in honor of Mrs. Rosa Parks and every soul of her spiritual and social realm. She is the true nature of what is perceived and spoken of as being heaven. Her unselfish love, as unselfish love always does, transforms the entire world," said the composer in a recent interview.

Thomas Wilkins conducts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale and the Rackham Symphony Choir, with soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme, mezzo-soprano Jevetta Steele and baritone Kevin Deas.

Concert Details:

Performances: March 6th at 8 pm; March 7th at 7:30 pm; March 8th at 3 pm

Max M. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Box Office Phone: (313) 576-5111
Box Office Fax: (313) 576-5109

www.detroitsymphony.com