The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) celebrates Carnival season with “Birth of a Culture” on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the Orpheum Theater at 7:30 p.m. A concert for New Orleans, “Birth of a Culture” honors the revered and vibrant tradition of Mardi Gras Indians (also known as Black Masking Indians) and their unique, colorful, and remarkable contribution to New Orleans’ history and culture. LPO Music Director Matthew Kraemer takes the podium to lead an evening of premieres including a world premiere by Big Chief Juan Pardo of the Golden Camanche Mardi Gras Indian Tribe and Maxim Samarov and jazz-great Wynton Marsalis.
LPO’s “Birth of a Culture” concert pays tribute to this cherished component of Carnival culture with musical compositions that embody a spirit of freedom, identity, and tradition. The program begins with a premiere of composer Arlene Sierra’s new work Kiskadee – inspired by the sounds of the titular bird – a colorful and boisterous creature – found in Texas and Argentina. The LPO is the second orchestra to perform Sierra’s work following its world premiere with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2023. Next on the program is a preview of Wynton Marsalis’ Blues Symphony which paints a picture of American music through generations with varying musical colors and rhythms. Closing the program is a world premiere of Big Chief Juan Pardo and composer Maxim Samarov’s Birth of a Culture. The music depicts the emergence of Mardi Gras Indian tradition as a blend of Native American and African culture, with traditional Mardi Gras Indian chants such as, “Ho Na Nae,” ”Shallow Water,” and “Indian Red.”
FAMILY CONCERT
On Saturday, January 27th at 11 a.m., “Birth of a Culture” can be experienced in a program formatted for families with the LPO’s Family Concert: Mardi Gras Indians. The concert will run for approximately 60 minutes and will take place at Eleanor McMain Secondary School. Prior to the concert at 10:15 a.m., families are invited to participate in Musician Learning Stations where children can learn and ask questions about the instruments and the musicians that play them. Tickets for Family Concert: Mardi Gras Indians are $16.
“The LPO is proud to use its musical voice as a culture bearer to amplify the unique stories of our community,” says LPO Executive Director Anwar Nasir. “This will be the first time that these two centuries old local traditions will cross paths and raise the standard for innovation and collaboration in our region.”
Native to New Orleans and deeply rooted in the Black community, the Mardi Gras Indian culture traces back to enslaved African people in America and their liberation with the help of Native Americans. The eye-catching apparel of the Mardi Gras Indians is uniquely hand-crafted and pays homage to the Native American community.
“Birth of a Culture draws on the distinct heritage of the Mardi Gras Indian tradition from New Orleans in the 18th century to present day,” says Big Chief Juan Pardo of the Golden Comanche. “We’ve shaped the culture through our music, dance, and tribal attire but this is our history, our story. This concert with the LPO solidifies our impact through an orchestral experience and will show that there are no limits to what we can do.”
TICKETS
Tickets for “Birth of a Culture” are on sale and range from $25 to $110. Student tickets are available for $10 with proof of student ID. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.lpomusic.com or contact Patron Services by calling 504.523.6530.
LPO Celebrates Mardi Gras Indians LPO Celebrates Mardi Gras Indians
