“Lamentations”
Choreographed by Jamar Roberts
Photo by Alex Markow courtesy of NWS
Choreographic Concerto Part IV
The Choreographic Concerto was a world-premiere collaboration between the New World Symphony (NWS) and the Miami City Ballet, held at the New World Center in Miami Beach from April 17–19, 2026. It featured five newly commissioned works pairing 10 of today's leading composers and choreographers. All five works had costume designs by Spiridonakou.
Carlos Simon (credit: Kendell Bessnet) and Jamar Roberts (credit: Sasha Arutyunova)
About the Music
I have taken inspiration from the book in the Old Testament Bible, Lamentations. Lamentations are passionate expressions of grief, sorrow or regret. These expressions take the form of wailing and/or mournful songs. They represent a formal, sometimes public, act of mourning or a poetic complaint regarding profound loss, sin or devastation. This book is known as the book of grief associated with the prophet Jeremiah, who was known as the "weeping prophet." While this portion depicts sorrow with the destruction of Jerusalem in 556 BC., it also gives a great sense of hope in the future. My piece, Lamentations, functions as a profound example of using prayerful lament through music to process anger, confusion and deep sorrow, but look forward toward a brighter future.
— Carlos Simon
About the Choreography
Lamentations is a work created in honor of U.S. veterans. Those who have served, those who continue to serve, and those whose stories live on beyond the battlefield. It reflects not only the visible strength associated with service, but also the quiet, often unseen weight carried long after the uniform is set aside. May it serve as a moment to pause, reflect, and recognize those whose lives have been shaped by service to others.
— Jamar Roberts
Watch the Excerpts
Except from New World Symphony’s WALL CAST performance of the “Lamentations” (Part IV of the Choreographic Concerto), on April 18th, 2026 at the New World Center in Miami Beach, FL.
