Presented by Hopkins at Home, Sheridan Libraries and Friends of the Johns Hopkins University Libraries

The Sheridan Libraries in collaboration with the American Prison Writing Archive and the Peabody Institute will present two In the Stacks concerts on consecutive days—in Baltimore and in Washington, D.C.—featuring choral music that honors the individual minds, hearts, and voices of incarcerated writers from today and centuries past. A moderated panel discussion will follow.

At the center of the program is the premiere of 'Neither Persons Nor Property', a commissioned work by composer and Peabody alumnus Elijah Daniel Smith set to texts by Brian D. Fuller, a writer incarcerated in Texas. It will be paired with Luigi Dallapiccola’s Canti di Prigionia (Songs of Imprisonment, 1938–41), a musical protest against rising fascism set to texts by imprisoned writers from different ages.

The works will be performed by the Peabody-based icarus Quartet and NEXT Ensemble, and conducted by Peabody artist-in-residence Juliano Aniceto.

A moderated panel discussion will follow the performance and guests will have the opportunity to view related special collections material from the Sheridan Libraries.

Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to share "Neither Persons Nor Property" on YouTube. A complete recording of this concert is available in the Sheridan Library archives; please contact [email protected] for more information.

About In the Stacks:
In the Stacks offers an informal, dynamic way for audiences to engage with music and performance art. Throughout the year, this concert series activates Baltimore’s iconic George Peabody Library—a glorious space with five tiers of cast-iron balconies that soar up to a latticed spotlight—with art, music, dance, film, drama, and more. In the Stacks aims to:

Make the arts accessible - All performances are free and open to the public, with an optional donation at the door. Taking breaks between pieces, we share insights into the history and meaning behind the music so everyone can connect and engage.
Offer diverse programming - While the great classical composers—Mozart, Beethoven, Bach—were indeed great, we also seek out amazing music and art by living artists and artists from underrepresented communities.
Collaborate with the community - Our performances bring together local musicians, artists, and other creative people for unique projects and collaborations crossing all artistic media.

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