The Ordering of Moses: Negro Spirituals & Notions of Freedom

Robert Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses should have been a cornerstone of American choral music, celebrated for its fusion of spirituals and classical traditions. Composed in 1937, this oratorio premiered at the Cincinnati May Festival and marked a pivotal moment for Black composers in classical music. However, early performances were overshadowed by racism, with the radio broadcast of the premiere cut short due to complaints from listeners calling into the station.

This curated conversation at Dixwell Congregational Church will explore themes of freedom and resilience through the stories of Moses and American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, uncovering their symbolic connection to composer Robert Nathaniel Dett’s oratorio, The Ordering of Moses, and its historical censorship.

Free Admission

About The Ordering of Moses

Audiences will be treated to an extraordinary celebration of music and history as the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Perry So, presents Robert Nathaniel Dett’s monumental oratorio, The Ordering of Moses. This seminal performance will take place on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Yale University’s Woolsey Hall in New Haven and will be the first time the work will ever be performed in the State of Connecticut.

Click here to learn more about this performance and to buy tickets. 

Featuring a massive choir comprising the Fairfield County Chorale, Heritage Chorale of New Haven, and New Haven Chorale, this performance brings together 200 voices to tell the powerful story of Moses leading the Israelites to freedom. Paired with a stellar lineup of vocal soloists (tenor Albert Lee, soprano Amani Cole Felder, mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann, and baritone Kenneth Overton) and guest organist Nathaniel Gumbs, this premiere concert is a historic milestone for the State of Connecticut.