In 1848, Lincoln gave a valiant speech on the House floor condemning President Polk's invasion of Mexico. Benito Juarez, a Mexican Congressman, thanked Lincoln with an effusive letter. Years later both men were President. Juarez was fighting the French invasion, and Lincoln was confronting the Secession. Thus, they once again became natural allies; not just out of necessity but also from a shared trust in democracy and humanity. Following Lincoln's assasination, Juarez wrote a sorrowful, elegant message to the people of the United States.

Come listen to an engaging concert that fuses this history, jazz, classical music and a traditional Mexican genre, the corrido.

"'Lincolniana' a must-hear any year'...says Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune
September 9, 2008 review of Barilari's latest piece.

Elbio Barilari
Latin American Composer and Professor at the
Department of Performing Arts at UIC.

Orbert Davis
The legendary trumpeter and professor at the
Department of Performing Arts at UIC.

Juan Rivera
Vocalist, member of Sones de Mexico.

Co-Sponsored by: Latin American and Latino Studies, UIC; Department of Performing Arts, UIC; The Public Square at the Illinois Humanities Council

This event is free and open to the public.

For further information, please call the Department of Latin American and Latino Studies, UIC at (312) 996-2445.