Pittsburgh Opera to Present ‘The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson,’ Announces Community Events

https://operawire.com/pittsburgh-opera-to-present-the-passion-of-mary-cardwell-dawson-announces-community-events/

Pittsburgh Opera will present “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson” this April. The showcase, which features original music by Carlos Simon as well as additional music from Bizet, opens on April 27 and runs through May 5, 2024. The work is inspired by the true story of the founder of the National Negro Opera Company in Pittsburgh in 1941. It {…}

News

Denyce Graves to Headline Washington National Opera’s ‘The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson’

https://operawire.com/denyce-graves-to-headline-washington-national-operas-the-passion-of-mary-cardwell-dawson/

Denyce Graves is set to headline Washington National Opera’s “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson” this January. The work, which will be presented at the Terrace Theater on Jan. 20 – 22, 2023 (three performances with two on the 22nd), will feature Graves in the role of Dawson, the founder of the National Negro Opera Company. Carlos Simon and Sandra {…}

Black History Month, News

Mary Cardwell Dawson Honored with Special Mural Presentation

https://operawire.com/mary-cardwell-dawson-honored-with-special-mural-presentation/

On Feb. 27, 2025, National Negro Opera Company founder Mary Cardwell Dawson was honored with a special mural unveiling ceremony. The mural was created by artist Scott Nurkin to honor Cardwell and all her contributions to American music. The ceremony took place at Murphy Street in Madison, North Carolina, and featured performances by Alyson Cambridge and Kenneth Overton, as well {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Opera Carolina’s Dr. Shanté Williams on Passionate Leadership & Her New Role at Opera Carolina

https://operawire.com/q-a-opera-carolinas-dr-shante-williams-on-passionate-leadership/

Entrepreneur extraordinaire Dr. Shanté Williams, is a notable businesswoman, intellectual property strategist, specialist in neuro-oncology and pharmacology, and the first woman and person of color to lead Opera Carolina in the role of General Director. Dr. Williams talked with OperaWire about her unique journey to the opera world, her leadership style, and plans for the company. OperaWire: You hold degrees {…}

News

Mary Cardwell Dawson to be Inducted Into The North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

https://operawire.com/mary-cardwell-dawson-to-be-inducted-into-the-north-carolina-music-hall-of-fame/

(Photo credit: Library of Congress) The North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame has announced its 2024 inductees. Among the recipients is North Carolina native Mary Cardwell Dawson. Dawson founded the National Negro Opera Company in 1941, which while it was short lived due to Dawson’s death in 1962, the company produced over 110 opera and broke barriers for singers of {…}

News

NEC Unveils Portrait of Pioneering Black Artist Mary Caldwell Dawson

https://operawire.com/nec-unveils-portrait-of-pioneering-black-artist-mary-caldwell-dawson/

Photo: Andrew Hurlbut New England Conservatory (NEC) unveiled a new portrait of Mary Cardwell Dawson by Iris Lee Marcus, which will be on permanent display at the conservatory’s Blumenthal Family Library. The painting recognizes her trailblazing career as a singer and her founding of the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC) in Pittsburgh in 1941. Dawson’s opera company provided Black artists {…}

News, Season Announcement

Union Avenue Opera Unveils 2025 Season

https://operawire.com/union-avenue-opera-unveils-2025-season/

The 2025 season for Union Avenue Opera is announced. Brooklyn Snow, Trevor Martin, Steve Isom, Paul Houghtaling, Charles Calotta, Jennifer Theby-Quinn, Donna Weinsting, Javi Ojeda, and Bradley J. Behrmann perform in “My Fair Lady” conducted by Scott Schoonover. Annamaria Pileggi directs. Performance Dates: July 5, 6, 11, 12, 2025 A double bill of Cipullo’s “Josephine” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” is next. {…}

Business, News

Pittsburgh Opera Announces New Rideshare Voucher Program

https://operawire.com/pittsburgh-opera-announces-new-rideshare-voucher-program/

Pittsburgh Opera is set to debut a rideshare voucher program to facilitate patrons getting to and from their opera performances. The new program is funded by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and will let Pittsburgh Opera ticket buyers add $60 of Uber Vouchers to their Pittsburgh Opera ticket purchase, at no extra cost. The performances eligible for the program include ” {…}

News

Denyce Graves, Vuvu Mpofu, Emily Richter & Marjorie Owens Lead Pittsburgh Opera’s 2023-24 Season

https://operawire.com/hold-feb-22-vuvu-mpofu-emily-richter-marjorie-owens-lead-pittsburgh-operas-2023-24-season/

The Pittsburgh Opera has announced its 2023-24 season. Opera Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” opens the season with Lunga Eric Hallam, John McCullough, Stephanie Lauricella, and Musa Nqungwana. Antony Walker conducts the production by Crystal Manich. Performance Dates: October 14, 17, 20, 22, 2023 Kyle Albertson, Marjorie Owens, Daniel O’Hearn, and Leah Heater lead Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman.” Antony Walker {…}

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Pittsburgh Opera to Present ‘The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson,’ Announces Community Events

Denyce Graves to Headline Washington National Opera’s ‘The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson’

Mary Cardwell Dawson Honored with Special Mural Presentation

Q & A: Opera Carolina’s Dr. Shanté Williams on Passionate Leadership & Her New Role at Opera Carolina

Mary Cardwell Dawson to be Inducted Into The North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame

NEC Unveils Portrait of Pioneering Black Artist Mary Caldwell Dawson

Union Avenue Opera Unveils 2025 Season

Pittsburgh Opera Announces New Rideshare Voucher Program

Denyce Graves, Vuvu Mpofu, Emily Richter & Marjorie Owens Lead Pittsburgh Opera’s 2023-24 Season