The orchestra’s concerts will take place Sunday, Jan. 19, at 3 p.m. at Naperville’s Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave.; and Monday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.
Under the direction of guest conductor Jonathan Rush, Chicago Sinfonietta’s MLK Tribute Concert will open with Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain,” a piece inspired by King’s final words of his last public speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” featuring vocals from Kymberli Joli, a vocalist and semifinalist on NBC’s The Voice. The first half of the concert will continue with the traditional spiritual “Deep River,” conducted by Chicago Sinfonietta Music Director Mei-Ann Chen.
“Deep River” will be followed by the Chicago premiere of Joel Thompson’s testament to those lost to police violence, “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed.” Directly after, audience members will experience the Academy Award-winning piece by John Legend and Common from the film Selma, “Glory.” Both works will be performed with the orchestra by the Adrian Dunn Singers.
Tickets are $10-$62 each; visit http://ChicagoSinfonetta.org.