Commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera
With Lead Commissioning Support by Merrill Family Charitable Foundation
Premiered by Boston Lyric Opera in June 2023
Presented in Partnership with: Castle of our Skins, Hibernian Hall, Merrill Family Charitable Foundation, and the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, City of Boston.
About The Wanderer’s Tethering: Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola teams up with composer Mason Bynes on The Wanderer’s Tethering, an operetta that explores the complex experiences of people with both African and Black American roots. Through a mix of songs and spoken word performance, the central character Toby navigates between feeling unmoored in her identity and finding the stories and legacies that become her anchors. Bynes’ music includes the merging of Negro spirituals and Igbo folkloric music, reflecting the merging and transformation that Toby goes through in claiming her identity. The concert program, curated by BLO Artistic Advisor Vimbayi Kaziboni, also includes musical selections by Trevor Weston, Jessie Montgomery, and Florence Price. During the program, audiences will also hear from the artists about their inspiration and creative process. This performance features Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, musicians from Castle of our Skins, and BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Brianna J. Robinson.
The concert runs for approximately 75 minutes and will be followed by a community reception with light refreshments.
Attendees may pay what they wish upon entry. In collaboration between BLO and Hibernian Hall, a portion of the proceeds will go to The League of Women for Community Service
2022/23 appearances by Brianna J. Robinson are made with the support of Allison K. Ryder & David B. Jones.