Stephen Spinelli and Tamara Acosta, the co-founders of ONEcomposer talked with OperaWire about their research and the importance of documenting the lives and work of underrepresented composers. Specifically they dive into their finding on Florence Price and the creation of the new album, “Beyond the Years,” with Karen Slack and Michelle Cann. “Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price” {…}
(Photo credit: Kia Caldwell Photography) Soprano Karen Slack will present “To Sit and Dream,” a concert comprised of the poems of Langston Hughes on March 17 in Philadelphia. In partnership with the Wharton-Wesley Faith Ensemble and Philadelphia soprano Slack will give a program of music by Black composers centered on four choral settings of Hughes’ poetry. Composers included on the {…}
On June 4, 2023, Rhode Island College will present “Art Song to Aria,” featuring baritone Will Liverman, Liverman will perform works by Florence Prince and Margaret Bonds, an aria from his own new opera “The Factotum,” and the world premiere of “Where There’s a Will…” a new song cycle composed for Liverman by Dr. Judith Lynn Stillman, who will accompany {…}
On April 3, 2022, CAL PERFORMANCES presented “Sunday in the Park,” a musical celebration that filled the heart, mind, and soul for nearly two hours. Two artists of exceptional talent—Jamie Barton, mezzo-soprano extraordinaire and noted American composer and pianist Jake Heggie—offered a program ranging from Schubert and Brahms to Price and Heggie himself. The concert was a sheer and satisfying delight {…}
(Credits: San Francisco Opera) The San Francisco Opera’s Department of Diversity, Equity and Community has announced new “Opera Aficionado” online discussions in November 2021 on the topic of composers who did not compose an opera. San Francisco Opera Dramaturg Emeritus Kip Cranna will talk about German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, analyzing possible reasons why the famed German did not compose {…}
Kaufman Music Center is set to publish “Who is Florence Price?” a children’s book created by students with the goal of telling the story of Price’s life for lower school readers. Price is the first Black woman composer to have her music performed by a major orchestra. The piece in question was her Symphony in E minor, which was premiered {…}
The London Festival of American Music has announced its 2021 slate. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be on operatic and vocal performances. First up will be a concert showcase featuring music by Margaret Bonds, August Read Thomas, Odaline de la Martinez, Fred Lerdahl, and Florence Price. The performance will star mezzo-soprano Simone Ibbett-Brown alongside the Lontano {…}
On June 19, 2021, Opera Saratoga will present “America Sings: A Juneteenth Celebration.” Streamed from Caffe Lena, the free concert will celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. Curated by distinguished alumnus and bass-baritone Carl DuPont. The concert will include music from composers such as H. Leslie Adams, Tim Amukele, Margaret Bonds, Uzee Brown, Moses Hogan, Betty Jackson {…}
On July 3, 2021, San Francisco’s Merola Opera Program will launch their 64th season with a showcase concert titled “What the Heart Desires.” Co-curated by tenor Nicholas Phan and mezzo-soprano Ronnita Miller, the concert will celebrate diversity in song through compositions by women and people of color. Selections will explore themes such as love, and the yearning for rest, peace, {…}
The London Festival of American Music has announced its slate for the eighth iteration of the annual event, which is set to take place between Sept. 13-18, 2021. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances. All events in the festival will take place at The Warehouse in London. Opening the festival will be {…}
Star opera and Broadway performer, Zachary James, announced the December release of his debut visual album, “CALL OUT.” The album showcases the new compositions of 11 female composers with text ranging from Twitter to Edgar Allan Poe. The visual album takes its cue from innovative predecessors such as The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” and “Hard Days Night,” Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” {…}