MARGARET BONDS (1913-1972): The Ballad of the Brown King (Laquita Mitchell [soprano], Lucia Bradford [mezzo]), Noah Stewart [tenor], The Dessoff Choirs and Orchestra; Malcolm J. Merriweather), To a Brown Girl Dead, Winter Moon, 3 Dream Portraits (Merriweather [baritone], Ashley Jackson [harp]).

Catalogue Number: 11V052
Label: Avie
Reference: AV2413
Format: CD
Price: $15.98
Description: African American composer Bonds receives long overdue recognition with the world premiere recording of her crowning achievement, The Ballad of the Brown King. With an expressly written libretto by Bonds’ friend Langston Hughes, this 24-minute Christmas cantata focuses on Balthazar, the dark-skinned king who journeyed to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Christ. Texts included.