Jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard
Since last century’s premieres of revolutionary works like Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” it’s been hard to shake up the classical world. But on June 15, 2019, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis did just that when it presented “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” by jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard.
The opera was something the established classical world had never heard before and critics and audiences took notice. The work explores the trauma, resilience and self-discovery of a contemporary Black man living in America, subject matter never tackled in opera. And the music, which blends blues and jazz with lush strings and bold brass, is the perfect complement.
The Harriman-Jewell Series will present a concert version of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” Oct. 12 at the Muriel Kauffman Theatre. It will be performed by soprano Adrienne Danrich, baritone Justin Austin, the Turtle Island String Quartet and Blanchard’s E-Collective ensemble. All will be led by Blanchard himself, who will also play the trumpet.
“It’s based on a memoir by The New York Times columnist Charles Blow,” Clark Morris, artistic director of the Harriman-Jewell Series said. “It’s about the challenges of growing up in the South and being uncomfortable in your surroundings and the things he has to overcome and how he wrestles with them. You want opera to have drama, right?”
The Series presented Blanchard’s tribute to saxophonist Wayne Shorter in 2022. Morris says that concert was a big hit with audiences.
“We’re really proud to get to work with Terrence again,” Morris said. “He is such an incredible artist and composer and writer and thought leader in the arts. And he’s one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of our time.”
Morris says for those who want to expand their operatic horizons, this is the work for them.
“It’s an adult opera dealing with some tough issues, and there’s some language in it,” Morris said. “Terrence said that was to make it authentic to Charles’s story. I appreciate music that I know well, but I also like to challenge myself to experience new things. So many people that have already seen this opera have loved it. It’s been a raging success. We hope you’ll join us for the Kansas City debut.”
–Patrick Neas
