Music by Bernice Johnson Reagon, text by June Jordan from “Poem in Honor of South African Women”

Commissioned by MUSE-Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir, Catherine Roma, Director, premier performance, June 25-25, 2004. This work was commissioned in commemorate the Grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

From the Program Booklet "Notes on the Music of Bernice Johnson Reagon, Temptation of St Anthony"
Spring 2006, the cast of the Robert Wilson Production, Temptation of Saint Anthony, recorded the full score at the Brooklyn Studios, producer, Toshi Reagon who is also the tour music director of the work which premiered in Duisberg, Germany at the Ruhr Triennale Festival June 2003. The production closed out 2005 with sellout performances at the Paris Opera House Garnier, Nov/Dec 2005. The limited edition two CD release came out in July, 2006, Songtalk Publishing Co.

Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts, Pace University, November 23, 2013

I have never before visually witnessed a cultural offering like the BLACK ROCK COALITION. I WAS GREATLY IMPACTED BY THE FULL STAGE.

When I got into the room, I noted the complex keyboard layout to my visual right from the front of the stage electronic keyboard to Hammond B3 organ with a full upright piano forming a tight angle to the section. In the center front of the stage there was one mike on a stand. There was a line of 6 chairs each with a mike stand in front.