A Grand Finale: Beyond the Years

It was always going to be a whirlwind year for Karen Slack. Alongside a nationwide tour of her new commissioning project, African Queens, and a robust concert schedule, the acclaimed soprano arrived at Lyric Opera of Chicago last summer as the newly minted Lyric Unlimited Artist-in-Residence, launching the residency in August with a special performance at Lyric's Sunday in the Park concert. All this season, Slack gave master classes, engaged in artist talkbacks, created a video series titled My Part of Town, and, perhaps most notably, began a three-part recital series.

The first recital, entitled Of Thee I Sing, was a luminous evening performance held in November in the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foyer at the Lyric Opera House.

Then, just before her second recital, Dream Variations, to be held at Northwestern University in February, came news: Beyond the Years, Slack's debut recording with pianist Michelle Cann, had won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal album — a watershed moment for any musician, and in this case a glorious accolade for a true passion project. The reception after the recital included a well-deserved Champagne toast.

Slack's residency will conclude on Saturday, June 14 at 5:00 p.m. with a special recital performance of Beyond the Years, with pianist Michael Banwarth, from Lyric's Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. This recital presents a rare opportunity to hear a Grammy-winning recording sung live — and an even rarer chance to hear a bounty of songs by composer Florence B. Price (1887 - 1953). A groundbreaking composer whose ties to Chicago run deep, Price became a vital part of the city's South Side music scene, where she composed much of her most enduring work. In 1933, she became the first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major U.S. orchestra — the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Many of Price's art songs — intimate works filled with poignancy, lyricism, and spiritual depth — were unpublished or unknown for decades and only in recent years have been brought to light. Beyond the Years, released by Azica Records in collaboration with the ONEcomposer nonprofit, features 19 of these songs, including 16 world premiere recordings. Initially founded to promote the important legacy of Price, ONEcomposer will continue to provide a platform for musicians whose contributions have been historically neglected.

Nestled in with Price's songs at the recital will be a handful of lieder by Franz Schubert, a pairing that brings to life ONEComposer's goal "to position Price's compositions in their deserved place alongside the greatest art song repertory."

"This album is one of the many unexpected blessings I've received," Slack says. "To be among the first to use my gift on these incredible American art songs and to provide premiere recordings for most of them is beyond anything I could have asked for. Beyond the Years isn't just a title — it's a legacy, and one I hope inspires generations to come."

Following the performance, Slack will take part in a brief post concert conversation to explore the emotional resonance and historical significance of Price's music.