Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Expo introduced the world to ketchup and the telephone. Now, it’s inspired a new oratorio.

A new oratorio titled *A Hundred Years On*, composed by Peter Boyer and Mark Campbell, will premiere on Wednesday night at the Highmark Mann in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, marking the 150th anniversary of the 1876 Centennial Exposition. The work reimagines the historic event, which showcased innovations like the telephone and Heinz ketchup, through five fictional characters representing marginalized voices of the era. The oratorio, commissioned by the Highmark Mann to celebrate its 50th anniversary and the nation’s 250th, contrasts the exposition’s optimism with the realities of post-Civil War America. Characters like Ignatius Thomas, a Black waiter, and Marion Jozwiak, a Polish immigrant, reflect on exclusion and division, with Jozwiak standing on the torch of the Statue of Liberty—a symbol of America’s unfinished progress. Campbell noted the parallels between 1876 and today, revising the libretto to address contemporary political corruption and societal regression. ‘We are facing an autocracy—or what is the word? Kakistocracy,’ he said, emphasizing the need for a darker, more critical tone. Performances will feature the Philadelphia Orchestra, Crossing Choir, and vocal soloists under conductor Anthony Parnther. The piece aims to humanize historical narratives while questioning whether America’s promise has been fulfilled. The Centennial Exposition’s legacy—from technological marvels to unresolved social tensions—serves as a backdrop for *A Hundred Years On*, blending celebration with urgent reflection.