Rosina Moder on recorder.A grand concert, to mark the bi-centennial anniversary of the death of the island's first documented baroque composer Samuel Felsted, will be held today at the Kingston Parish Church, starting at 4:00 p.m.
A variety of artistes will perform musical and poetic items at this historic event, which is open to the public free of cost.
According to research, Samuel Felsted was born in Jamaica in 1743. He composed Jonah, the first oratorio ever written in the New World, which was published in London in 1775 by Longman, Lukey and Broderip.
He served as an organist at the St. Andrew Parish Church for eight years, and another 29 years at the Kingston Parish Church. He was also known as a poet, painter, teacher, and botanist. He died in 1802.
Students of the Royal College of Music (RCM) Foundation performed a tribute to Felsted during the Good Friday liturgy at the Kingston Parish Church recently. And some of these outstanding performers will participate in today's celebratory concert.
Tenor Paul Williamson from the United States will open the concert with Felsted's aria Lord Obey from the Jonah oratorio. He will be joined by soprano Marie McMarrow, who will sing the aria My God and King to Thee I Sing, also from Jonah.
Accompanists will be recorder players Rosina Christina Moder, Mijke Vankan and Rafael Salazar, as well as Teresita on the harpischord, and Jamaica School of Music student, Andre Adman.
On the literary side, dub poet Yasus Afari will perform an original poem, titled Samuel's Face, written in tribute to Felsted. Yasus has invited Nigerian musician Kaypode Siyanbola to accompany him on an African talking drum.
The programme also includes performances by former RCM scholarship recipient, Roual Cousley, and Claude Edwards.
A host of other performers including American jazzz saxophonist Byard Lancaster, organist Donald Hossak, Temple of Light Church Choir and the Kingston Parish Church Choir, will perform.
Angella Elliott and Roger Williams will be piano accompanists for the afternoon.
