A Letter From Queen Ufua (2023)
For Mezzo-soprano and Piano
Duration: 6.5 minutes
Premiere:
Queen Ufua's Letter is an art song for soprano and piano, composed for Karen Slack and pianist Kevin Miller as part of Slack’s African Queens project. The text, written by poet Tsitsi Ella Jaji, takes the form of a letter from Queen Ufua of Esanland to my daughters, Eva and Corinne. Esanland, rooted in Edo State, Nigeria, is home to my ancestral ethnic group, whose language is rich in proverbs and poetic expression. Jaji draws on four Esan proverbs to shape the letter’s tone and message, emphasizing resilience, humility, and the importance of lineage. Queen Ufua, whose name means “light,” begins a matrilineal journey through King Akhilomen (“great responsibility”), their son Okhulun (“sky”), my grandmother Ejaina (“wherever I go is good”), my father Fidelis (“faithful”), to me, Ehireime (“gift from God”). My daughters’ names—Eva (“life”) and Corinne (“a beautiful maiden” and “spear”)—embody the spirit of this legacy. The letter is a gift to them: a call to embrace strength, beauty, and pride in our ancestry. Though deeply personal, I hope the song’s message—through Jaji’s words and heartfelt performances—resonates widely as a celebration of life, heritage, and light.