Masterworks Series

Fire Shut Up In My Bones- with Terence Blanchard

April 24, 2025 | 8 PM

Content Advisory: Fire Shut Up in My Bones addresses adult themes and contains some adult language.

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

About

On April 24, 2025, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra presents a concert of music by Terence Blanchard, featuring a concert suite of eleven arias and excerpts from his opera Fire Shut Up in My Bones, alongside suites from his film scores for Malcolm X, Harriet, and BlacKkKlansman. Blanchard will perform on trumpet with The E-Collective, joined by soprano Janinah Burnett and Grammy Award-winning baritone Will Liverman. Conducted by Carolyn Kuan, the performance includes video projections by Andrew F. Scott & Matthew Unkenholz, blending music and visuals for a powerful experience.

Terence Blanchard’s film scores are renowned for their emotional depth and powerful storytelling. His Suite from Malcolm X (1992) blends jazz and orchestral grandeur to reflect the resilience and transformation of the civil rights leader. In Suite from Harriet (2019), haunting strings and evocative spirituals underscore Harriet Tubman’s courageous journey to freedom. The Suite from BlacKkKlansman (2018) is a bold fusion of jazz-infused orchestration and dramatic intensity, heightening the film’s themes of resistance and triumph. Blanchard’s music masterfully amplifies the narratives of history, struggle, and empowerment.

Fire Shut Up in My Bones, composed by Terence Blanchard, made history in 2021 as the first opera by a Black composer to be performed at the Metropolitan Opera. Adapted from Charles Blow’s memoir, the opera blends jazz, gospel, and classical elements to create a uniquely American operatic experience. With a libretto by Kasi Lemmons, the production weaves together past and present, memory and reality, as it follows Charles’ journey of pain, self-discovery, and redemption. The opera’s success marked a significant moment in American opera, showcasing the power of contemporary storytelling and diversifying the operatic canon.

Portrait of musician Terence Blanchard at his home in New Orleans, LA.

A seven-time Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer, Terence Blanchard is one of the most influential figures in modern jazz and film scoring. Born in New Orleans, he honed his craft under the mentorship of jazz legends such as Art Blakey and Lionel Hampton. Blanchard gained widespread recognition for his collaborations with filmmaker Spike Lee, composing scores for Malcolm X, Inside Man, and When the Levees Broke, among others. His first opera, Champion, debuted in 2013, followed by Fire Shut Up in My Bones, solidifying his reputation as a groundbreaking composer.

Charles Blow’s Lambda Award-winning memoir, Fire Shut Up in My Bones, is a poignant and deeply personal account of his childhood in rural Louisiana. Raised by a determined mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her children, Blow recounts his journey through poverty, violence, and the trauma of sexual abuse at the hands of a cousin. His story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and ultimate empowerment as he navigates his identity, his career, and his place in the world. The book not only explores personal trauma but also highlights themes of masculinity, race, and the pursuit of success. Fire Shut Up in My Bones was widely acclaimed for its raw honesty and lyrical prose, making it a compelling foundation for the opera that followed.

Charles Blow is an award-winning journalist, author, and political commentator. Born in Gibsland, Louisiana, he overcame early hardships to become one of the most respected voices in American media. A former columnist for The New York Times and now a political analyst for MSNBC, Blow has used his platform to discuss issues of race, politics, and social justice. In addition to his memoir, Blow has written The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto, which examines the shifting dynamics of Black political power in America.

At its core, Fire Shut Up in My Bones is a story of resilience, identity, and breaking cycles of trauma. Themes explored include:

  • Survival and Resilience – The memoir and opera depict the challenges Charles Blow faced growing up in poverty and the strength he gained from his mother’s determination.
  • The Impact of Trauma – The work addresses the deep scars left by childhood sexual abuse and the long road to healing.
  • Masculinity and Identity – Blow’s story challenges conventional ideas of masculinity, particularly in the Black community, and explores his journey toward self-acceptance.
  • Race and Social Mobility – Both the book and opera examine the opportunities and obstacles faced by a young Black man striving for success in America.
  • Love and Forgiveness – Ultimately, Fire Shut Up in My Bones is about finding love—for oneself and others—despite past pain.

Fire Shut Up in My Bones addresses adult themes and contains some adult language.

Concert Sponsors:

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Attend the FREE pre-concert talk with Maestro Kuan or special guest one hour before the concert!

Bring your smartphone to access our digital Playbill- don’t forget to silence it!

Grab a drink or bite from one of our convenient bar/café locations, and feel free to bring to your seat.

Applaud when you like what you hear – don’t worry about the “right” time!

Wear what you want – be comfortable.

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