Part of Virginia Opera’s Pride in Black Voices

Cotton

Music by Damien Geter

Poems by Charlotte Blake Alston, Nikki Giovanni, Afaa Michael Weaver, Trapeta Mayson, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Lauren Alleyne, Alora Young, and Glenis Redmond

Inspired by the Cotton Photography of John Dowell

Originally Commissioned by Lyric Fest

with Damien Geter, composer
Tesia Kwarteng, mezzo-soprano
Adam Richardson, baritone 
Nyle Matsuoka, piano

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University

This event takes place at Old Town Hall (3999 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030).

Part of Virginia Opera’s 2nd annual Pride in Black Voices program as well as a free, open-to-the-public presentation of the Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation Series, this event features a performance of composer Damien Geter’s moving song cycle inspired by the haunting “Cotton” photography of acclaimed artist John Dowell, whose works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other galleries. Each song in the cycle features the poetry of Nikki Giovanni, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, and other Black American poets, and explores the Black American journey seen through the lens of the cotton industry,making it a poignant exploration of history and culture. The Philadelphia Inquirer notes the work “promises to pack a punch.” 

Geter will participate in a talk back following the performance. Praised by the Wall Street Journal for his “skillful vocal writing,” he is also an acclaimed bass-baritone and conductor. He portrays William Still in the Virginia Opera production of Sanctuary Road, running at the Center for the Arts February 3–4, and is the composer of Virginia Opera’s new Loving v. Virginia, which will have its world premiere as part of the Center’s 2024/2025 season. 

FREE, but registration required.

Run time: approximately 75 minutes, including Q&A.

Learn more about parking options near Old Town Hall, which is located on this map (in D4 on the map grid).