Soprano Dr. Louise Toppin and her long-time collaborative pianist, Dr. John O'Brien were welcomed by an appreciative audience to the Nelson Music Room on the East Campus of Duke University to present "Double Consciousness: Perspectives on Composition in Black Music and Poetry." This event was NOT a mere concert – it was the fruit of a seminar between Duke graduate literati and composers whose subject of inquiry and the subsequent investigations and collaborations, resulted in a program of art song settings in this premiere performance.   Read on . . .