Please join us for a free lecture, Sissieretta Jones: Navigating Race Through Song, April 26, 2013, and an exhibit of materials related to Sissieretta Jones, known as the “Black Patti.” Maureen D. Lee, who wrote Sissieretta Jones: “The Greatest Singer of Her Race,” 1868-1933, published in 2012 by the University of South Carolina Press, will give the lecture and take questions.
The next day, April 27th, vocalist Cheryl Albright will perform a sample of music Sissieretta sang during her 29-year career.
The exhibit opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at the Old Brick School House, 24 Meeting Street in Providence, RI. The lecture begins at 5:30 at the same place. The recital, Saturday, April 27, begins at 2 p.m. in Sissieretta’s former church, the historic Congdon Street Baptist Church, 17 Congdon Street, Providence, RI. Pianist Rod Luther will accompany Ms. Albright.
The lecture and recital, sponsored by Opera Providence, is made possible through a generous grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. Both events are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Gino Signoracci at Rickman Group: gino@rickmangroup.com or call (401) 421-0606.
Wow! I did my senior history thesis on Miss Sisseretta in 2008 at URI. I no longer live in Rhode Island, but I am absolutely thrilled that the Black Patti is getting some more public attention and honor! I will certainly look into this new book, and bring word of Providence’s own out to California!
How interesting, Jennafer, that you chose Sissieretta Jones for your history thesis. I’m so glad you will share the word about her in California, where she performed many times.