The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) are proud to announce the 16th annual Musical Louisiana: America’s Cultural Heritage, a free educational concert celebrating the musical legacy of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Titled “L’Arrivée – Three Firsts in the Vieux Carré,” the event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the iconic St. Louis Cathedral in the heart of the Vieux Carré.
Under the direction of LPO Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin Music Director Matthew Kraemer, and in collaboration with esteemed chamber ensembles Variant 6 and Filament, L’Arrivée will showcase three significant works that arrived and were performed in the Vieux Carré before Louisiana achieved statehood. The program includes rarely performed selections from THNOC’s archives: the Ursuline Music Manuscript (1736), Andre Gretry’s Silvain (1770), and Francois Devienne’s Les Visitandines (1792).
Daniel Hammer, President and CEO of THNOC, expressed his excitement for the event, saying, “For its 16th edition, L’Arrivée will immerse listeners in the rich cultural tapestry of the Vieux Carré as Musical Louisiana pays homage to the firsts that shaped its musical legacy with these three musical masterpieces.”
Anwar Nasir, Executive Director of the LPO, remarked, “Our annual partnership with The Historic New Orleans Collection is one of our most treasured collaborations because it creates space to honor Louisiana’s heritage through music.”
The concert is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 7 p.m. A pre-concert lecture by Kraemer will enhance the audience’s understanding of the historic significance of the compositions, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For those unable to attend in person, the concert will be broadcast live on 89.9 WWNO-FM, Classical 104.9 FM, or 90.5 KTLN-FM in the Houma-Thibodaux area. Livestreaming will be facilitated by WLAE.
To learn more about Musical Louisiana and support this concert series, visit THNOC’s website.
