— The 2016 Colour of Music Festival embarks upon an ambitious and stunning array of international classical musical motifs solidifying its place as the largest black classical music organization ever organized as it continues to draw inspiration from the grandfather of black classical music, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Few classical music enthusiasts are aware of the tremendous contributions of this African-French composer whose opera and classical masterpieces equaled or far exceeded those of his 18th century contemporaries. Although his compositions are highly recognized overseas, they gather little notice in the United States. Today despite thousands of celebrated and prodigiously talented classical composers and performers of African descent throughout the world, their opportunities to grace concert stages of major American orchestras are rare to non-existent. The Colour of Music Festival is reversing this trend.

Now in its fourth year, the Colour of Music Festival offers a musical kaleidoscope of black classical composers and performers from across the globe and will take place October 19-23, 2016 at various venues throughout historic Charleston, South Carolina.

Showcasing acclaimed black chamber ensemble players and artists to form the Colour of Music Festival Orchestra, the five-day festival brings leading black artists to Charleston from Canada, France, Britain, Colombia, and the Caribbean among others.

Highlights include the début of Chevalier de Saint Georges’ only opera every discovered, The Anonymous Lover, featuring Magali Léger, native of Saint George’s birthplace, the Isle of Guadeloupe, showcasing the Festival’s All Things French (Toutes Les Choses Françaises) motif.

Internationally renowned conductor Marlon Daniel will again serve as Festival Music Director with leading black maestros serving as guest conductors to lead the Masterwork Series’ Colour of Music Festival Orchestra.