Musical Tribute to MLK by Opera MS at the Mississippi Museum of Art

By: Angela Redding | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Beat magazine | November 15, 2023
Photos: Opera Mississippi

John-Christopher-Adams-from-feb-2023 — ^{John Christopher Adams in concert for Opera Mississippi from season 77 concert “Voices of Freedom”, February 2023.
Photo by Jay Scott.}

Get ready to be captivated by the enchanting melodies of Opera MS’s “Celebrating Connections” concert series at the Mississippi Museum of Art. This extraordinary event kicks off with a heartfelt musical tribute to the legendary MLK, ensuring a memorable evening filled with soul-stirring performances.

On Monday, January 15, 2024, at 7:00 PM, Opera Mississippi will give their first performance of the year, “Lift Every Voice,” in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, featuring John Christopher Adams at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson.

John Christopher Adams

John Christopher Adams, an operatic tenor, has delighted in researching his own family’s background and ties to Civil Rights movement in order to prepare for this significant event. John Christopher has graced venues in Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Seattle, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, and Israel, among other countries.

He studied music and theater under the late Mrs. Karen Streit and Ms. Helen G. Morgan. He is a native of Fannin, Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi College and the University of Cincinnati—College Conservatory of Music with degrees in vocal performance and opera, respectively.

Adams is ecstatic to be taking part in this celebration.

He stated, “Singing the songs of Civil Rights is probably one of the greatest ways I could pay respect to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and the causes he championed.”

The Black Experience in America

The Black experience in America has long been accompanied by songs of tragedy and triumph, and history has demonstrated that music is the most effective means of communicating with all members of that culture.

Music has the potential to bring people together, inspire, convey messages, disseminate words of hope, and tap into the strength and resiliency of the human spirit—from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. “Lift Every Voice” honors the suffering and promise of the Civil Rights Movement.

Music

Prepare to hear songs such as ”Ain’t-A-Dat Good News,” “Soon I Will be Done,” and “Hush! Someone’s Callin’ My Name,” “I’m a Soldier,” “Amazing Grace,” “A Change Gon’ Come,” “We Shall Overcome,” and numerous other deep spirituals and Civil Rights songs.

Tickets

General Admission tickets cost $38 per person.

Visit operams.org/lift for tickets and other details, or call: 601-960-2300.

Presenting “Lift Every Voice” is Atmos Energy. Funding for this project comes partially from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal organization, and partially from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency.