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Lyric Fest: Benjamin Franklin

  • American Philosophical Society Franklin Hall 427 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA, 19106 United States (map)

Presented by PCMS, this performance is included in LF Season Subscription.
Single tickets must be purchased through PCMS. Visit www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts

Timed to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, LF presents a sweeping program on the life of Benjamin Franklin. This musical and historical retrospective weaves the music of Colonial America with newer song settings of Franklin’s witticisms and prose, all highlighted with excerpts of Franklin’s writings. A nuanced and probing musical biography with new commissions by Jennifer Higdon, Melissa Dunphy, and Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg.

With soprano Jessica Beebe, counter-tenor Benjamin Perry Wentzelberg,tenor Martin Bakari, baritone Randall Scarlata,
Laura Ward, piano, Vivian Barton, gamba, Thomas Schuttenhelm, guitar,
Suzanne DuPlantis, narrator

Benjamin Franklin penned his own epitaph, wanting to be remembered as “printer”.

The Body of B. Franklin, Printer,
Like the Cover of an old Book,
Its Contents torn out,
And stript of its Lettering and Gilding,
Lies here, Food for the Worms.

But the Work shall not be wholly lost;
For it will, as he believ’d, appear once more,
In a new & more perfect Edition,
Corrected and amended
By the Author.

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March 26

Bach Vocal Artists: Passion Music for Early America

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April 14

Bethlehem Bach Choir: BWV 18