Words Like Freedom: To Langston with Love
A Musical Celebration of Langston Hughes’ Legacy
Curated by Grammy Award winner Karen Slack (’02), creative advisor for vocal studies and opera, Words Like Freedom: To Langston with Love brings the poetry of Langston Hughes to vivid life through music and staging. Curtis students illuminate Hughes’ powerful words through vocal and instrumental color, honoring his legacy as a poet, novelist, and activist. This moving tribute explores themes of identity, resilience, and hope—celebrating a singular American voice whose work continues to resonate.
Please note programs and artists are subject to change.
Artists
-
Curtis New Music Ensemble
Curtis New Music Ensemble features compelling repertoire from the 20th and 21st centuries. With bold collaborations and striking productions, Curtis New Music Ensemble embraces the cutting edge of contemporary classical music through the highest level of artistry.
Special Thanks
Generous support for Curtis New Music Ensemble is provided by the Daniel W. Dietrich II Foundation.
Curtis received funding from Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts.
-
- Date Oct 17, 2026
- Time 7:00 p.m.
- Location Curtis Institute of Music, Gould Rehearsal Hall
-
Subscribe and Save
Subscribe to the 2026–27 season and get the best seats at the best prices.
-
2026/27 Season
Experience a season of extraordinary young talent.