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In a finale that reimagines and uplifts iconic American music, 2026 Festival Director Julia Bullock takes center stage as Bess in her own deeply personal and poignant curation of Gershwin's legendary opera, Porgy and Bess. William Grant Still’s Plain-Chant for America issues a stirring call for unity and resilience, while Stephen Paulus’s Prayers & Remembrances seeks to impart hope and healing, before a celebratory finale of Bernstein’s radiant “Make Our Garden Grow” from Candide. Finally, we close the 2026 Festival with what has become a beloved May Festival tradition, singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” together as one. Porgy and Bess is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
ARTISTS
Anthony Parnther, conductor
Julia Bullock, soprano
Alfred Walker, bass-baritone
May Festival Chorus
May Festival Youth Chorus
Classical Roots Community Choir
PROGRAM
The Gershwins®’ Selections from "Porgy and Bess®" by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin
William Grant Still: "Plain-Chant for America"
Stephen Paulus: "Prayers & Remembrances"
V. In Beauty It Walks
VI. Eternity
Leonard Bernstein: “Make our Garden Grow” from "Candide"
George Frideric Handel: “Hallelujah Chorus” from "Messiah"
PRE-CONCERT PERFORMANCE
6:15PM-7:15PM
Music Hall Foyer/Balcony Well
Loretta Manggrum Chorale
PRE-CONCERT TALK
6:30PM-7PM
Corbett Tower
Jason Alexander Holmes & Kristi Swift (University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music History Professor) & Dr. Tammy Kernodle (Miami University Professor of Musicology, Gender Studies, and African American Music)
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Event Venue
Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202-7531, United States
Tickets
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