Baritone Davóne Tines has created an innovative and deeply personal concert that pays tribute to Paul Robeson, the legendary singer, actor, and activist. However, he says because he’s been compared with Robeson in the past, he found this project challenging to begin with. ‘At first, I found being compared to Robeson felt reductive – just another Black opera singer comparison,’ Tines explains. ‘But as I learned more about him, I found myself inspired by his commitment to humanity, his Renaissance-man spirit, and his vulnerability.’
The preparation for Robeson involved extensive research and introspection. ‘I spent years listening to his recordings – not to mimic him, but to understand how his voice worked,’ Tines shares. ‘Robeson’s singing had this perfect balance of resonance and grounded core, which became a kind of finishing school for my own vocal technique. It was transformative for me, not just as a singer but as a person.’
The recital starts from Robeson’s 1961 suicide attempt in Moscow, after enduring years of persecution at the hands of the American government, who hated his communist sympathies. ‘That event made Robeson human to me,’ says Tines. ‘It showed that even someone as seemingly invincible as him could face profound struggles. But he survived, and that resilience is something we can all relate to. Everyone has faced moments where the weight of the world felt unbearable, but we found a way through.’
This focus on vulnerability is central to the performance. ‘Robeson wasn’t just a monolithic figure – he was a person. By humanising him, we honour his legacy in a way that feels real and accessible,’ Tines adds.
Robeson blends music, narrative, and innovative recital structure. ‘It’s not a traditional recital with discrete pieces,’ he explains. ‘Instead, songs flow into one another, creating a continuous emotional journey. It’s about building an atmosphere that allows the audience to connect deeply with the material.’
While the concert is steeped in Robeson’s legacy, it is also a dialogue between past and present. ‘I’m not impersonating him,’ Tines clarifies. ‘It’s about finding where our voices and stories resonate, about connecting his life to the challenges and aspirations we face today.’
The London setting adds another layer of meaning. Robeson spent significant parts of his career in the city, making this performance an opportunity to connect his story to a place he once called home. ‘It’s exciting to bring Robeson to London, where he lived and worked,’ says Tines. ‘It makes his story feel tangible, reminding us that he wasn’t just a colossal figure – he was someone who lived among us.’
At its heart, Robeson is about fostering connection and empathy. ‘This performance is not just about celebrating Robeson – it’s about humanising each other,’ says Tines. ‘We often dehumanise one another, treating people as functions rather than as individuals. This concert invites us to see and hear one another in a deeper way.’
ROBESON with Davóne Tines and The Truth: A Classical Americana Electro-Gospel Acid Trip, 15 Feb 7.30pm, Milton Court
Words by James Drury
