Musicians from Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society performed at Boston’s first Emancipation Proclamation celebration in 1863. Nearly 160 years later, this year’s Emancipation Proclamation concert will take place on New Year’s Eve at Trinity Church as part of the city’s First Night events. The free concert marks the return of H+H’s New Year’s Eve tradition, which had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic. Anthony Trecek-King will conduct the performance, which will include National Poetry Slam Champion Regie Gibson reading passages from the Emancipation Proclamation. The concert is dedicated to preserving history, commemorating Boston’s historic role in the abolition movement, celebrating the spirit of progress for human rights, and recognizing the role of music in creating alliance and belonging. This year’s program will include spirituals, songs of protest, and classical selections. Tenor Marlon Matthews will join members of the H+H Chorus for the performance. All attendees at Trinity Church will be required to show proof of vaccination and to wear a mask at all times. No tickets are required, but capacity will be limited to 60 percent, or 700 people.
