By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
By all measures, Elias Hendricks has spent a lifetime preparing for this moment. On April 25, the Birmingham-born operatic tenor and creative producer will premiere Classical Soul by Candlelight, a one-night-only event blending opera and soul music in an immersive, black-tie setting at the historic Harambe Room.
The performance marks Hendricks’ first solo debut of the project in his hometown, even as the show itself has already traveled the world. “This is just my first chance to actually debut it in Birmingham,” Hendricks said. “I’ve been working on it in theaters across the world for a while.”
The event will take place at the Harambe Room, a venue owned by Hendricks’ family and a cornerstone of Birmingham’s cultural scene for more than three decades.
Doors open at 7 p.m., with the performance beginning at 8 p.m. Guests will be welcomed into a candlelit environment designed to feel elegant and transported from the moment they arrive. “From the moment you’re at the door, you’re going to have candles leading you, going up the elevator into the space,” Hendricks explained. “It’s going to be absolutely beautiful.”
At the heart of the evening is Hendricks’ signature concept, Classical Soul—a genre-defying fusion born from years of international training and travel. “I trained in opera. I got a degree in opera,” he said, noting his studies and early career that took him from Birmingham to Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas to Hong Kong and to cruise ships around the world. “But soul music—that’s what we all grew up with.”
The result is what Hendricks describes simply as “Mozart meets Marvin Gaye.”
The program will weave together classical works made famous by composers such as Puccini and artists like Andrea Bocelli with soul and R&B staples from Sam Cooke, John Legend, and K-Ci & JoJo. At times, the styles will literally collide. “In the middle of that song, we change and break straight into the French opera, and then we mix the two things,” Hendricks said. “It’s a really interesting way for people to be exposed to classical music… to show them that there’s nothing new under the sun. All music is the same.”
The performance will feature pianist Byron Thomas and cellist Yogi Dada, a multidisciplinary Birmingham artist Hendricks describes as “a renaissance.”
“Everybody’s from Birmingham,” he emphasized. “I really make a point in all my shows to make sure that Birmingham is represented.”
Hendricks designed the evening as a full experience rather than a traditional concert. Guests will enjoy an elegant charcuterie-style spread and free-flowing premium drinks throughout the night, followed by a post-show social hour. “We’re going to make sure you’re fed well. The drinks will be flowing,” Hendricks said. “I just want people to be immersed in an experience that makes them feel good. We need that now, especially.”
While Classical Soul by Candlelight is a solo venture, Hendricks hopes it will grow into something larger. “This is one night only for now,” he said. “Hopefully it develops into a larger series… it’s not just about classical music. It’s about the elegance of the night.”
The dress code is black tie, though Hendricks insists accessibility is part of the vision. “It’s downtown. It’s free valet,” he said. “So you can dress however high your heels need to be.”
Ultimately, Hendricks sees the night as an invitation to longtime classical fans, soul music lovers, and the simply curious. “If you’re just curious about what Classical Soul is, this is an opportunity for you to come and find out,” he said. “You’re going to hear stuff you probably have never heard before, but also the songs that you love.”
Classical Soul by Candlelight takes place on April 25 at the Harambe Room in downtown Birmingham. Tickets are sold out but a waitlist can be found at Harambe205.com under the “Classical Soul by Candlelight” tab.
