This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Paul Robeson, the Princeton-born bass baritone who went from being a professional football player to a world-renown singer and actor. His outspoken support of civil rights, criticism of American policies and praise for the Soviet Union made him a target of federal authorities - He was blacklisted, had his passport revoked and eventually was called before the House Un-American Activities Commitee in 1956. Two years later his passport was restored, and he kicked off an international tour with a concert at Carnegie Hall.
That performance served as part of the inspiration for one of the concerts in this year’s The Village Trip Festival. Bass-baritone James C. Martin, joined by pianist Lynn Raley, performed songs and theatrical monologues from that concert, as well as a world premiere of settings of the words of Robeson’s friend, Langston Hughes, by six contemporary composers. The program is titled Let Freedom Sing: Paul Robeseon, his Music, his Words, a Tribute, took place Sunday Sept. 27.
A Tempo host Rachel Katz chats with Martin and Raley about the concert and Robeson’s legacy.
