Julia Wolfe's Anthracite Fields in PA coal mining region – Nov 14

On November 14, Julia Wolfe returns to the anthracite coal region in Pennsylvania, which inspired her Pulitzer prize-winning oratorio, Anthracite Fields. In order to share the piece with the community that gave her such invaluable assistance its creation, Wolfe will give a talk at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton, and the public is invited to take a tour of the Lackawanna coal mine. That evening, the Bang on a Can All-Stars and the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, conducted by Julian Wachner, will perform Anthracite Fields at the brand-new Allan P. and Marian Sutherland Kirby Center for Creative Arts at the historic Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, PA. The piece is illuminated by the visual projections of scenic designer Jeff Sugg.

This part of the Pennsylvania coal region is two and a half hours from Philadelphia and New York City. Perfect for a day trip!

Nov 14 Schedule:

• Lackawanna Coal Mine tours available from 10am to 2:45pm
• 3:15-4:45pm: Anthracite Heritage Museum visit and talk with Julia Wolfe (admission is free on Nov 14)
• 6:30pm: Pre-Concert talk at the Kirby Center, Wyoming Seminary
• 7:30pm: Concert (A portion of the proceeds from the concert are to benefit the Anthracite Heritage Museum.)

Anthracite Fields was commissioned by the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia through Meet the Composer’s Commissioning Music/USA program, which is made possible by generous support from the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Helen F. Whitaker Fund. Additional support was made possible through the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia Alan Harler New Ventures Fund, The Presser Foundation, The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia, and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music.