In celebration of National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2013, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus released the original cast recording of Andrew Lippa’s oratorio “I Am Harvey Milk.” Produced by multi-Grammy award winner Leslie Ann Jones in association with Skywalker Sound and Academy award-winning producer Bruce Cohen, the recording features soloists Andrew Lippa, Noah Marlowe, Tony award-winning soprano Laura Benanti, and members of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. The live recording was captured on June 26, 2013 just hours after the US Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, leading to an extraordinarily exuberant and celebratory performance.
A preview video on YouTube may be viewed at:
The 55-minute oratorio with words and music by composer Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family Musical, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Farnsworth Invention) celebrates the life and legacy of San Francisco activist and politician Harvey Milk. The work weaves the story of Harvey Milk’s life – from boyhood to his rise as the first openly gay man to hold public office in California to his assassination. Part choral work, part theater piece, I Am Harvey Milk is an emotional celebration of an American icon.
“I Am Harvey Milk” was commissioned by the SFGMC, the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus, the Heartland Gay Men’s Chorus, the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus. Project support was provided by 11 track underwriters, the Fleishhacker Foundation, and Union Bank of California. The SFGMC receives major funding from the WF Hewlett Foundation, the San Francisco Tax Fund/Grants for the Arts, and Ketel One vodka.
The $15.00 CD is available for purchase on the SFGMC website:
The recording will also be released on iTunes on or about November 1, 2013:
To learn more about I Am Harvey Milk, visit:
To learn more about the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, visit:
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