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.
Opera is For You (OiFY) (@operaisforyou) • Instagram photos and videos
64 Followers, 57 Following, 17 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Opera is For You (OiFY) (@operaisforyou)
INSTAGRAM.COM
Harolyn Blackwell
“She’s still singing all over the world today and is an incredible mentor.” • @julietsingsalot
Photo: harolynblackwell.com
Juliet Morris (@julietsingsalot) • Instagram photos and videos
See 936 photos and videos by Juliet Morris (@julietsingsalot).
INSTAGRAM.COM
Shirley Verrett
“Such a beautiful voice and person, she’s my vocal idol” • @flotiste
Photo: shirleyverrett.com
@flotiste • Instagram photos and videos
See 224 posts by @flotiste. To see photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours, sign up.
INSTAGRAM.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.
DeAndre (@deandresvoice) • Instagram photos and videos
4,013 Followers, 568 Posts. Singer: Opera,Concert,Recital, Musical | Traveler ✈️ | Meditator 🙏🏾| Sports 🎾🎣🏌🏾🏹| ΑΦΑ 🤙🏾| Equity,AGMA,SAG/Aftra
INSTAGRAM.COM
“One of the best ‘Holländer’ I’ve ever heard and seen!” • @sebastian.iben_pianist
Sebastian Iben (@sebastian.iben_pianist) • Instagram photos and videos
3,650 Followers, 175 Following, 668 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sebastian Iben (@sebastian.iben_pianist)
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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.
ANNIE- Singer + Health Coach (@theglamfitdiva) • Instagram photos and videos
1,231 Followers, 967 Following, 974 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from ANNIE- Singer + Health Coach (@theglamfitdiva)
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Denyce Graves
“Fantastic Mezzo from Washington DC!” • @jencastano
Photo: denycegraves.com
Jenny Castano (@jencastano) • Instagram photos and videos
75 Followers, 416 Following, 335 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Jenny Castano (@jencastano)
INSTAGRAM.COM
Golda Schultz
“Golda Schultz and her pristine, precise technique and vocal color.” • @solanosoprano
Photo: goldaschultz.com
María Alejandra Solano (@solanosoprano) • Instagram photos and videos
293 Followers, 598 Following, 7 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from María Alejandra Solano (@solanosoprano)
INSTAGRAM.COM
Morris Robinson &
Ryan Speedo Green
“Morris Robinson and Ryan Speedo Green. Why? They’re simply the best!” • @grandmakravets
Photos: Artist Websites
David Kravets (@grandmakravets) • Instagram photos and videos
473 Followers, 517 Following, 53 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from David Kravets (@grandmakravets)
INSTAGRAM.COM
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.
http://instagram.com/theoperagamer
XoXo
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