Hartford Symphony Orchestra Presents Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones in an Electrifying Masterworks Concert

Hartford, CT – March 13, 2025 – Hartford, CT — The Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is proud to present an unforgettable evening of music featuring the works of six-time Grammy-winning composer Terence Blanchard. As part of the 2024-2025 Masterworks Series, this special concert takes place on April 24, 2025, at 8 PM at The Bushnell in Hartford, and showcases the power of Blanchard’s compositions, seamlessly blending jazz, opera, and symphonic music.

Blanchard, a celebrated jazz trumpeter and composer, made history with his opera Fire Shut Up in My Bones, the first opera by a Black composer performed at the Metropolitan Opera. This concert will feature a special concert suite of Fire Shut Up in My Bones alongside breathtaking selections from his acclaimed film scores, including Malcolm X, Harriet, and Blackkklansman.

Program Highlights:

This thrilling program will be conducted by HSO Music Director Carolyn Kuan and features an outstanding lineup of guest artists:

• Terence Blanchard, trumpet & composer
• Soprano Janinah Burnett & baritone Will Liverman
• The E-Collective, Blanchard’s dynamic jazz ensemble
• Selections from Fire Shut Up in My Bones – 11 arias and excerpts from the opera
• Video projections by Andrew F. Scott & Matthew Unkenholz, bringing the music to life

This concert is a rare opportunity to experience the power of Blanchard’s music performed live, blending raw emotion, storytelling, and stunning visuals. Audiences will be transported through music that speaks to history, resilience, and the beauty of artistic expression.

Tickets are available now at www.hartfordsymphony.org

Event Details:

• Date:

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 8 PM

• Location:

Mortensen Hall, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT

Calendar Listing
Fire Shut Up in My Bones  
Thursday, April 24, 2025, 8PM
Mortensen Hall, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT
hartfordsymphony.org

Program*

Blanchard Suite from Malcolm X †

Blanchard Suite from Harriet †

Blanchard Suite from Blackkklansman †

Blanchard Fire Shut Up In My Bones Concert Suite ‡

† created from films scored by Terence Blanchard

‡ Eleven (11) arias & excerpts from the Opera by Terence Blanchard

*Program subject to change

Featuring:

Terence Blanchard, trumpet & composer

The E-Collective

Andrew F. Scott & Matthew Unkenholz, video projections

Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Janinah Burnett, soprano

Will Liverman, baritone

This concert is graciously sponsored by Eversource, Fairview Capital, Trinity Health, The Katharine K. McLane & Henry R. McLane Charitable Trust, Paula Silas Guy & John Guy, Greater Hartford Arts Council, The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, The Legacy Foundation, Floyd Green, and Hartford Healthcare.

About the Hartford Symphony Orchestra

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra is a leading cultural institution in Connecticut, renowned for its exceptional performances and commitment to artistic excellence. The HSO brings a diverse range of classical and contemporary music to audiences throughout the region, while also fostering community engagement through education and outreach programs. The orchestra’s mission is to enrich lives through the power of music and to serve as a vibrant cultural resource for the Hartford community and beyond.