The New Orleans Opera will present the American Spiritual Ensemble (ASE) on September 7 at Temple Sinai in uptown New Orleans. This program is underwritten by Robin Burgess and Terence Blanchard and is open to the public. The program will begin at 7:3o p.m. and reservations are required.

Tenor Dr. Everett McCorvey founded ASE in 1995, and many of its members have performed in such venues as the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera and the New Orleans Opera. They have also performed abroad in England, Germany, Italy, Japan, Scotland and Spain.

The mission of the American Spiritual Ensemble is to preserve and continue the tradition of storytelling through the performance and preservation of the American Negro spiritual. Performing these spirituals is a tribute to the many lives lost or destroyed during the devastation of slavery in the United States. These songs, a combination of African, American and European traditions, created a new type of melody in which a sense of identification was created within the enslaved community. These songs, beloved all around the world, now stand as a testament to the strength found through faith during times of hardship and a unifying force among all peoples. The ASE is committed to preserving these timeless melodies through performance and education in the form of lectures, master classes, and vocal instruction for educational, religious, and community institutions worldwide.

Temple Sinai is located at 6227 St Charles Avenue in uptown New Orleans. The running time of the performance will be approximately 90 minutes without intermission. Tickets are free with reservation at neworleansopera.org or by calling the New Orleans Opera Box Office at (504) 529-3000.

Seating is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about ASE, visit here.

The New Orleans Opera Association (NOOA), which began its 80th season July 1, is committed to its mission of enriching the lives of all people by producing opera of the highest artistic quality and providing educational opportunities through traditional and innovative approaches. NOOA aspires to connect people to the arts and each other through the joy of opera. For more information, visit here.