Opera Star Kathleen Battle Comes to Verizon Hall Tonight

Heralded as possessing "one of the few most beautiful [voices] in the world" (Washington Post), five-time Grammy© Award-winning opera starKathleen Battle performs music from the Underground Railroad inVerizon Hall tonight, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Battle will be accompanied by pianist Cyrus Chestnut and The Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, led by chair masterJ. Donald Dumpson, with acclaimed harpist Riza Printup performing select works.

This inspiring program traces the roots of African-American freedom with an evening of hymns and traditional spirituals. Ms. Battle's heavenly voice brings to light a song cycle of freedom, suffering, and salvation with unique renditions of traditional music such as "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands," "Lord, How Come Me Here?," "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired," "Balm and Gilead," and the old testament spiritual sang in Hebrew and English, "Go Down Moses."

A FREE pre-show panel discussion about the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia and its contemporary echoes will take place at 6:30 p.m. in SEI Innovation Studio with Dr. Richard Newman, director of the Library Company of Philadelphia and author of the Biography on Bishop Richard Allendiscussing. Joining him in conversation is Dr. V Chapman Smith, former regional administrator for the National Archives Mid-Atlantic region; Rev. Dr. James Forbes of Healing of a Nation Foundation and Senior Minister Emeritus Riverside Church; Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director of the Historic Johnson House Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler, Pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church.

"Through music and spoken word, we hope to tie in these historical elements to showcase the profound power and unparalleled beauty of The Spiritual," adds Ms. Battle.

"I believe the ability to play music is a gift from God and every time I play, I'm thankful," Chestnut said. "Every time I sit down to play, for me, it is worship and expression."

Tickets are available for $30 to $85 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).