Sally Hemings

Sandra Seaton

Sally Hemings

From The Diary Of Sally Hemings

Sandra Seaton’s recent work, From The Diary Of Sally Hemings, is a collaboration with composer William Bolcom , who set Seaton’s text to music. A song cycle, the work recreates the thoughts and feelings of Sally Hemings throughout her long relationship with Thomas Jefferson by means of fictional diary entries. From The Diary Of Sally Hemings is scheduled to be performed by mezzo-soprano Florence Quivar throughout the United States during 2001 and 2002.

Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress,
District of Columbia

"In the world premiere of a new song cycle by William Bolcom with text by playwright Sandra Seaton, mezzo-soprano Florence Quivar's "burnished, seductive voice" (Houston Voice) brings to life this imaginative recreation of a complex, vital Sally Hemings who refuses to be identified merely as Jefferson's mistress."

Library of Congress 2000 - 01 Concert Series web site.

Link to Library of Congress site for more information.

Library of Congress Press Release

Photos from the World Premiere of
From the Diary of Sally Hemings,
March 16, 2001

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Photo of William Bolcom and Sandra Seaton outside the Library of Congress

Photo of pre-performance reception in the Great Hall, Library of Congress

Photo of Hemings-Jefferson descendants with William Bolcom , Sandra Seaton, CMU President Rao, Monica Rao, and Hattye Harris (Sandra Seaton's mother)

Photo Sandra Seaton and CMU President Rao

Photo of Hemings-Jefferson descendants, including Shay Banks and Julia Westiren Jefferson, with Sandra Seaton

Photo of Shay Banks (Madison Hemings descendant) and Sandra Seaton

Photo of J.J. Penna (accompanist), Sandra Seaton, William Bolcom , and Florence Quivar take curtain calls after the performance

Photo of J.J.Penna and Florence Quivar take curtain call

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Herbst Theatre, San Francisco

"Renowned for her vibrantly rich tone and dramatic versatility, Florence Quivar is equally home on the opera, concert, and recital stages. This made her a natural choice for a Music Accord commission, and she has made a particularly fascinating choice for the subject of her song cycle: the story of Sally Hemings, slave and mistress of Thomas Jefferson. With music by noted American composer, William Bolcom and a wonderful libretto by playwright Sandra Seaton, this promises to be a memorable evening."
Clifford Orent
Trustee,
San Francisco Performances
From Stagebill April, 2001

Read Program Notes for San Francisco Performances for more information.

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Florence Quivar and Harolyn Blackwell perform together at venues listed below:

Two of America ’s finest and most respected artists, Florence Quivar and Harolyn Blackwell, appear in recital together for the first time, performing song cycles by two acclaimed composers. Florence Quivar sings From the Diary of Sally Hemings, an imaginative recreation of a complex, vital Sally Hemings who refuses to be identified merely as Thomas Jefferson's mistress. The song cycle was composed especially for her by William Bolcom to a text by Sandra Seaton. Blackwell offers Honey and Rue, composed by Andre Previn to a text by Toni Morrison. The program is supplemented by duets, songs, operatic selections and spirituals.

For more information on joint performances by Florence Quivar and Harolyn Blackwell visit the following sites:

Lied Center Series, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

University Musical Society, University of Michigan

Van Wezel Performing Arts Society, Sarasota, Florida

Vocal Art Society

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