Page 145 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

A Liverpool arts director has described her sense of pride as she takes on the
tremendous task of bringing the story of the Windrush generation to the

national stage.

Victoria Evaristo, from Toxteth, is the stage director and narrator for
Windrush - The Journey, a concert tour celebrating the pioneering members of

the Caribbean community who travelled to Britain after 1948, rescuing the

country's struggling workforce from severe labour shortages in the wake of
WWII. The show, which opens in Liverpool in June, features classical music

and opera from Black composers (including Mozart contemporary Chevalier

de Saint George), as well as Caribbean-inspired jazz and blues.

Victoria said: "I was born and raised in Liverpool, so this is a great

opportunity. Like most Black people in Liverpool I have mixed heritage, and

that is my background. But this Windrush concert is about connecting with all
communities in different parts of the country, and celebrating the work of

Black musicians.

Also forming part of the show is the Windrush Travelling Songbook, a digital
archive of original music written by children inspired by the stories of the

Windrush generation.

Victoria said: "It's about paying homage and celebrating the legacy of the

Windrush generation. We're now in 2024. That generation are our

grandparents and great-grandparents. It's about recognising their
contribution to the UK, because that generation is not going to be here forever.

"The Windrush generation have paved the way for the society we see today,

particularly the Caribbeans of our community. They worked hard and they
had to build this country after the war. Whether they were driving the buses

or working for the NHS, they have helped to build this country.

"That's why we are doing what we are doing: to keep their stories alive

through classical music. Even if you're new to classical music you cannot fail