The mission of the American Spiritual Ensemble is to preserve and continue the tradition of storytelling through the performance and preservation of the American Negro spiritual. Performing these spirituals is a tribute to the many lives lost or destroyed during the devastation of slavery in the United States. These songs, a combination of African, American, and European traditions, created a new type of melody in which a sense of identification was created within the enslaved community. These songs, beloved all around the world, now stand as a testament to the strength found through faith during times of hardship and a unifying force among all peoples. The American Spiritual Ensemble is committed to preserving these beautiful melodies through performance and education in the form of lectures, master classes, and vocal instruction for educational, religious, and community institutions worldwide. 

This program is underwritten by Robin Burgess and Terence Blanchard and is open to the public. Reservations are required.

More informatoin at www.neworleansopera.org or http://www.americanspiritualensemble.com