Powerful statement on American 250

To mark the 250th anniversary of America, American Dialogues 250 celebrates the nation’s ever-evolving story through newly commissioned works and reimagined classics that give voice to our shared ideals and diverse perspectives.

Highlights include Declaration, a bold new song cycle featuring Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, with music by acclaimed composer Damien Geter and libretto by Sphinx’s Founder, poetjournalist Aaron Dworkin; and Rachel McFarlane’s new title work. Works by Roberto Sierra and Jessie Montgomery offer vibrant explorations of heritage and transformation, while Stravinsky’s Concerto for Strings in D connects past and present in a timeless meditation on artistic freedom. Through music that bridges time and culture, American Dialogues invites audiences to engage in a musical conversation about who we are—and who we aspire to become.

J'Nai Bridges Sphinx Virtuosi

About Sphinx Virtuosi & J'Nai Bridges

Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic, self-conducted chamber orchestra and the flagship performing ensemble of the Sphinx Organization, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the arts. 

America's flagship chamber orchestra's 18 Black and Latinx string players perform standing and without a conductor, giving their concerts an athletic, visceral energy. Sphinx Virtuosi is redefining classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and cultural leadership. 

J’Nai Bridges is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American mezzo-soprano. She is a winner of the Marian Anderson Award and has performed for the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, and San Francisco Opera. BET has described her as "The Beyoncé of opera". J’Nai Bridges won her most recent Grammy in 2026 when Jake Heggie’s Intelligence, commissioned by Houston Grand Opera, won the award for Best Opera Recording with Bridges performing as Lucinda. 

In 2022, Bridges received a Grammy for Best Opera Recording for her portrayal of Nefertiti in Philip Glass’ Akhnaten with the Metropolitan Opera. She also received a Grammy in 2021 for Best Choral Performance for her role as Mary, Mother of Jesus, in the recording of Richard Danielpour’s The Passion of Yeshua with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
 

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About the
Performance

AMERICAN250: SOUNDS OF UNITY


Rachel McFarlane: American Dialogue

Roberto Sierra: Sinfonietta for Strings 

I. Rítmico 

II. Expresivo 

III. Vivo 

IV. Rápido

Damien Geter: "Declaration" with J’Nai Bridges, libretto by Aaron Dworkin† 

I. Life - “to belong, and be” 

II. Liberty - “the door and the knocking” 

III. Pursuit - “toward” 

Jessie Montgomery: Banner 

Maurice Ravel arr. Mladen Miloradovic: Blues from Violin Sonata 

Igor Stravinsky: Concerto for Strings in D “Basle” 

I. Vivace 

II. Arioso 

III. Rondo

This event is currently available only through a subscription package. Single-concert tickets on sale in August. — View Package Options

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