Celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, acclaimed for her riveting performances on the world’s great opera stages, her activism in support of diversity in the arts, and her championing of new music, brings the New York premiere of an immersive exploration of African American stories through song, poetry, and photography.

COTTON is inspired by photographer John E. Dowell’s haunting images of South Carolina cotton fields – captured in his 2018 exhibit Cotton: The Soft, Dangerous Beauty of the Past. The work comprises a song cycle by acclaimed composer Damien Geter – performed by Graves with exciting rising star baritone Justin Austin – with original poems by Nikki Giovanni, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Afaa Michael Weaver, Lauren Alleyne, Charlotte Blake Alston, Glenis Redmond, Alora Young, and Trapeta Mayson, and Dowell’s evocative photographs. A poignant and powerful multidisciplinary work that speaks to the resilience of soul and psyche, led by one of music’s most compelling vocal stars.

COTTON was inspired by the cotton photography of John E. Dowell. The poetry and music were commissioned by Lyric Fest (Philadelphia) in honor of its 20th Anniversary.