A Roland Hayes Tribute, honoring the first African American man to win international acclaim as a concert artist. A tenor, who made his groundbreaking debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in November 1923, Hayes was the first Black performer to perform with a major American orchestra as a soloist, and continued to appear regularly with the BSO for the next 21 years, as well as living in Brookline for more than 50 years.
Acclaimed vocalists, tenor Fred VanNess and baritone LaMarcus Miller will perform art songs, arias and spirituals that honor Hayes, alongside the Boston Public Quartet: Betsy Hinkle, violin; Jason Amos, viola; Nicholas Johnson, cello; and Joy Cline Phinney, piano.
In keeping with Classical with a Twist tradition the audience will enjoy light bites and a chance to mix with the artists at intermission.