Kentucky's Gift to our Nation - Abraham Lincoln February 2, 2009

A cast of over 375 performers tells the story of our 16th president when the Kentucky Humanities Council and the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre present Our Lincoln, a musical-historical grand celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. Much more than a concert, this event includes performances by the American Spiritual Ensemble, directed by Dr. Everett McCorvey and joined by Metropolitan Opera artist Angela Brown; violinist Mark O'Connor; a cameo presentation by Kentucky Repertory Theatre; Kentucky's poet laureate Jane Gentry reading her newly commissioned poems about Lincoln's humble beginnings and his legacy; and brief segments from Kentucky Chautauqua dramas that weave together the stories of contemporaries who had a unique view of Lincoln. In addition, soloists from the University of Kentucky's Opera Theatre program and the famous 125-voice Lexington Singers will perform selections from River of Time, an original new folk opera about Lincoln as a young man. The program also includes conductor John Nardolillo leading the University of Kentucky's Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Copland's A Lincoln Portrait, narrated by radio and television personality Nick Clooney.

Official Website: http://www.kennedycenter.com