Examiner.com
Patrick McCoy
D.C. Performing Arts Examiner
Perhaps
not since the historic appearance by sopranos Jessye Norman and
Kathleen Battle have opera audiences seen two sopranos of color in
Strauss' "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the same time.
Various
On
March 12, 1988, two of the most celebrated sopranos in the opera world
sang at the famed Metropolitan Opera House in Strauss' “Ariadne auf
Naxos.” It was nearly 27 years ago that renowned African-American
sopranos Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle
sang the roles of Ariadne and Zerbinetta respectively under the baton
of James Levine. Perhaps for the first time since that now historic
performance, two sopranos of color stepped into those very same roles.
Sopranos Othalie Graham and Shawnette Sulker joined famed conductor Michael Morgan in
recent semi-stage performances with Festival Opera in Walnut Creek,
California. Both principal leads and the conductor all being artists of
color is certainly a crowning achievement worthy of mentioning. No
stranger to the Washington performing arts
scene, soprano Othalie Graham first came to our attention through her
many appearances in concert with The Washington Chorus with conductor Julian Wachner at
The Kennedy Center. She shared with us her thoughts about her recent
performances of Ariadne and the lasting impression soprano Jessye Norman
had on her in the title role.
“Seeing Jessye Norman when I was young in Opera News looking regal in
her Ariadne costumes was simply awe inspiring for me. To see this black
woman look like a queen was an image I could never forget.
Comment by email:
Thank you so much Mr. Zick! Best, Othalie [Othalie Graham]
http://www.othaliegrahamsoprano.com/
Comment by email:
Thank you so much Mr. Zick! Best, Othalie [Othalie Graham]
http://www.othaliegrahamsoprano.com/
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