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360ofopera · 5 years ago

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Black History Month

As most of you may know, February is “Black History Month”. To celebrate and honor the Black Community in Opera, we asked our followers to share with us which artists inspire them and why. Here are the Top 10 Answers from this inspiring collaboration.

Of course, this article does not by any means manage to include all the fantastic artists of this community! We hope you enjoy this sample into what extraordinary talent artists from African and African-American descent have shared and continue to offer to the world of opera.

If you are not familiar with some of the singers listed, we urge you to research them, listen to their recordings and whenever possible... hear them live!

Jessye Norman

“Jessye Norman! Hands down. She was the first opera singer I saw sing live when I attended the Tanglewood Young Artist Program at age 16 in 1996. That was where I fell in love with opera and classical music. I saw Jessye Norman sing and was like “I wanna sing like her!” I also got to meet her that summer and she was larger than life an talked a bit like Julia Child. That was my summer of love with opera. The bug bit me and never let go, lawd! And a really cool thing is later in 2007, when I went BACK to school to get a second Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance (after finishing law school and passing the bar exam, long story!)... it was my first semester, and Jessye Norman happened to be the headliner at the first concert of the season at my school! So things came full circle for me!” • @operaisforyou

Jessye Norman is pictured singing Brahms during a tribute performance for Marian Anderson 100th birthday at Carnegie Hall in 1997. Photo Credit: Osamu Honda/Associated Press.

Harolyn Blackwell

“She’s still singing all over the world today and is an incredible mentor.” • @julietsingsalot

Photo: harolynblackwell.com

Shirley Verrett

“Such a beautiful voice and person, she’s my vocal idol” • @flotiste

Photo: shirleyverrett.com

Simon Estes

“Simon Estes broke barriers in repertoire to which I aspire. Extraordinary artist and man.” • @deandresvoice

Simon Estes pictured as Hagen in Wagner's Gotterdammerung, Seattle, 1977. Photo Credit: Seattle Opera, Simon Estes Foundation.

“One of the best ‘Holländer’ I’ve ever heard and seen!” • @sebastian.iben_pianist

Angel Joy Blue & Janai Brugger

“Gorgeous voices and people with so much joy for their art.” • @theglamfitdiva

Angel Joy Blue as Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata at Royal Opera House. Photo Credit: ROH

Janai Brugger photographed by Dario Acosta.

Denyce Graves

“Fantastic Mezzo from Washington DC!” • @jencastano

Photo: denycegraves.com

Golda Schultz

“Golda Schultz and her pristine, precise technique and vocal color.” • @solanosoprano

Photo: goldaschultz.com

Morris Robinson & Ryan Speedo Green

“Morris Robinson and Ryan Speedo Green. Why? They’re simply the best!” • @grandmakravets

Photos: Artist Websites

Porgy & Bess at The Metropolitan Opera

“The entire cast of The Met Opera’s ‘Porgy & Bess’ - #InspiredByThePresent.” - Theresa • @theoperagamer

Pictured are bass Eric Owens, tenor Errin Brooks, soprano Angel Joy Blue and members of the ensemble. Photo Credit: Met Opera.

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XoXo

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