(Credit: Jon Adjahoe)

The Washington Performing Arts has announced that operatic bass and social justice advocate Soloman Howard is the recipient of its 2021 Ambassador of the Arts Award.

Howard is a well-known bass who has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House, Los Angeles Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Washington National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Teatro Real, and Teatro Municipal de Santiago, among others.

“It is with great pleasure that we honor Soloman Howard with our Ambassador of the Arts Award,” said Washington Performing Arts President and CEO Jenny Bilfield in the official press statement. “Soloman has been such an exemplary artist, friend, and inspiration to all of us especially those who have followed his path from his earliest days as a member of our Children of the Gospel Choir. He has played a key role in many important Washington Performing Arts events in recent years, and he has been a valued thought partner as we have intensified our investment in our Gospel Music Programs. For all these contributions, and for his many achievements on stages and in communities throughout the world, we commend him sincerely and look forward to witnessing the new heights he is sure to reach.”

Next up for the bass are performances of “Approaching Ali” at Opera Las Vegas in January 2022 as well as “The Handmaid’s Tale” at the English National Opera in April 2022. Other 2022 projects include “La Bohème” at Jacksonville Symphony, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Dallas Symphony, and “Don Giovanni” with San Francisco Opera.