The National Mall is a place where all of America comes together for commemoration, reflection and expression. Trust for the National Mall hosted a Monumental Conversation on March 3, 2022, with Washington National Opera featuring a performance and conversation about how we memorialize and commemorate and how to elevate diverse stories and inclusive voices on the National Mall.
This Trust for the National Mall special virtual event spotlighted Washington National Opera's upcoming world premiere of Written in Stone, four short works that explore the meaning of monuments through different perspectives. Washington National Opera brought together a diverse group of creators and asked them to think about how some of Washington, D.C.’s monuments, erected in the past, speak to them today. What stories can they tell about our past, our present and our future-in-progress? Learn more about Written in Stone here.
This Monumental Conversation featured an opera performance, conversation and panel discussion about the production and the commemorative landscape on the National Mall.
The program featured Written in Stone artists, composers and creators, such as:
J'Nai Bridges, Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano, WNO Marian Anderson award winner, and performer, Written in Stone
Carlos Simon, Kennedy Center Composer-in Residence; 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient; and composer, Written in Stone
Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Kennedy Center Vice President; Artistic Director of Social Impact; and composer, Written in Stone
Francesca Zambello, Artistic Director, Washington National Opera, and commissioner, Written in Stone
Trust Board Member Georgette “Gigi” Dixon, Executive Vice President and Head of External Engagement, Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion (DSRI) at Wells Fargo, moderated the conversations with the artists and creators behind Written in Stone. Trust for the National Mall CEO Catherine Townsend joined the conversation along with Timothy O'Leary, General Director of Washington National Opera to talk about Written in Stone and the Trust's parallel work to broaden the conversation in the commemorative landscape on the National Mall.
The Trust is working with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and its partners on Beyond Granite, a two-year project that will bring a series of special commemorative works to the National Mall and Washington, D.C. to bring diverse voices and inclusive stories to the memorial landscape and ensure a vibrant, engaging and evolving National Mall. Follow the Trust's work on Beyond Granite.
We hope you can join us for this special virtual event. The event is open to the public, but space is limited. The link for the live virtual event will be distributed before the event. If you have any questions, please contact information@nationalmall.org.
If you missed this live special event, you can watch the program recording above and sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive exclusive updates and event invitations for future programs from the Trust.
About the Moderator
Georgette “Gigi” Dixon
Executive Vice President and Head of External Engagement, Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion (DSRI), Wells Fargo, and Trust Board Member
Georgette “Gigi” Dixon is the executive vice president and head of External Engagement for Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion. In this diversity-focused role, Gigi is responsible for stakeholder relationships, sponsorship activation, and advocacy and influencer strategies. Her team advances diversity, equity, and inclusion by leading and amplifying our efforts externally to ensure that people across our workforce, communities, and supply chain feel valued and respected and have equal access to resources, services, products, and opportunities to succeed.
Gigi also has served as marketing manager for Wholesale Banking, Small Business Banking, and Commercial Banking; director of Emerging (multicultural) Markets; and director of Strategic Partnerships for the Wells Fargo Foundation. She also served on the company’s Corporate Diversity Council for six years. In 2005, Gigi was recognized as one of the Most Powerful Women to Watch by American Banker magazine.
About the Speakers
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Kennedy Center Vice President; Artistic Director of Social Impact; and composer, Written in Stone
BAMUTHI (Marc Bamuthi Joseph) is a 2017 TED Global Fellow, an inaugural recipient of the Guggenheim Social Practice initiative, and an honoree of the United States Artists Rockefeller Fellowship. Joseph’s opera libretto, We Shall Not Be Moved, was named one of 2017’s “Best Classical Music Performances” by The New York Times. His evening length work created in collaboration with composer Daniel Bernard Roumain, “The Just and The Blind,” was commissioned by Carnegie Hall and premiered to a sold out house at Carnegie in March 2019. His upcoming piece, “Watch Night” is inspired by the forgiveness exhibited by the congregation of Emanuel AME church in Charleston, and will premiere at The Perelman Center in New York in 2022. Read more.
J’Nai Bridges
Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano, WNO Marian Anderson award winner, and performer, Written in Stone
Ms. Bridges’ 2021-2022 season is highlighted by her participation in numerous world premiere engagements, and as a guest artist at the Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary Season. The first Kennedy Center performance is with all Black and Latin Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, followed by Written in Stone, a Washington National Opera program of new music including the world premiere of a piece written for her by Carlos Simon. Ms. Bridges’ time in Washington continues as a soloist with The National Philharmonic in the world premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s A Knee on the Neck, and Mozart’s Requiem. She continues her collaboration with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the concert Power to the People. She also appears with Amarillo Symphony as a guest artist in a world premiere song cycle by Chris Rogerson entitled Sacred Earth, sing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 for Houston Symphony’s season finale performance, and will give a solo recital at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ. Operatic engagements include the title role in Carmen with Palm Beach Opera and Arena di Verona, and Jocasta in Oedipus Rex with the San Francisco Symphony. Read more.
Timothy O’Leary
General Director, Washington National Opera
Timothy O'Leary began his tenure as General Director of Washington National Opera in July 2018. In his role, Mr. O'Leary is responsible for leading the WNO staff and collaborating with WNO's acclaimed Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, and the company's Board of Trustees to achieve Washington National Opera's goals for artistic excellence, community impact, and financial strength. Mr. O'Leary also currently serves as Chairman of the Board of OPERA America, the national service organization for opera. He joined the board of OPERA America in 2011 and was previously its Treasurer. Read more.
Carlos Simon
Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence; 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient; and composer, Written in Stone
Carlos Simon (Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence) is a native of Atlanta, Georgia whose music ranges from concert music for large and small ensembles to film scores with influences of jazz, gospel, and neo-romanticism.
Simon was named as one of the recipients for the 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence. The Sphinx Medal of Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by the Sphinx Organization, recognizing extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians. Along with a $50,000 career grant, Sphinx annually awards the Medals of Excellence to three artists who, early in their career, demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and an ongoing commitment to leadership and their communities. Simon’s latest album, My Ancestor's Gift, was released on the Navona Records label in April 2018. Described as an “overall driving force” (Review Graveyard) and featured on Apple Music’s “Albums to Watch”, My Ancestor's Gift incorporates spoken word and historic recordings to craft a multifaceted program of musical works that are inspired as much by the past as they are the present. Read more.
Catherine Townsend
President and CEO, Trust for the National Mall
Since 2016, Catherine has been leading the organization’s vision and strategy, bringing over 30 years of non-profit management, strategic partnerships, and fundraising experience to fulfill the Trust’s mission, in partnership with the National Park Service, to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall. Prior to joining the Trust, she provided executive coaching and resource support to non-profit leaders, served as the President and Executive Director of the DC Public Education Fund (the independent non-profit that advances initiatives to improve student outcomes in DC Public Schools), and helped support non-profit organizations with federal aid as the senior advisor at Townsend Public Affairs. Read more.
Francesca Zambello
Artistic Director, Washington National Opera, and commissioner, Written in Stone
Internationally recognized director of opera and theater Francesca Zambello is the Artistic Director of Washington National Opera, a post she has held since 2012. She has directed many WNO productions, including Of Mice and Men (debut in 2001), Fidelio, Billy Budd, Porgy and Bess, Salome, Show Boat, The Force of Destiny, the world premiere children's opera The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me, Florencia in the Amazon, The Little Prince, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Dead Man Walking, Aida, and Candide. In the spring of 2016, she also directed WNO's first-ever complete Ring cycles, and brought the production to San Francisco Opera in 2018, both to great critical and public acclaim. Read more.
About Monumental Conversations
Monumental Conversation is the Trust for the National Mall's newest virtual event offering. This series features dynamic conversations with distinguished panelists who will discuss the history and influence the National Mall represents. From diversity to sustainability, join us as we tackle the most relevant topics in American life and reflect upon the role America's Civic Stage has played. To learn more and view recordings of past Monumental Conversations, please visit our website at: nationalmall.org/monumental-conversations.
About the Trust for the National Mall
As the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan philanthropic partner of the National Park Service dedicated to restoring, enriching and preserving the National Mall, the Trust for the National Mall brings expertise, private funding and in-kind support to time-sensitive restoration and sustainability projects, mobilizes volunteers and provides educational opportunities to ensure that the National Mall endures and evolves as a vibrant space for all. With over 36 million visits annually to the National Mall, combined with aging infrastructure and the need for better visitor amenities throughout the park, the Trust is helping the National Park Service tackle the more than $800 million needed for critical repairs and improvements.
About Washington National Opera
As an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, WNO performs fall and spring seasons in the 2,200-seat Kennedy Center Opera House. WNO also offers performances on Millennium Stage and at other venues at the Center and throughout the city, and offers training, educational, and enrichment programs year-round. www.kennedy-center.org/wno/home/