Soloman Howard
Eric Conway writes:
Hello everyone,
Tonight, I attended Washington National Opera’s World premiere of Philip Glass’ opera Appomattox. This
opera gave a unique look at two very significant events in our
country's history. The first act took place at the very end of the civil
war in 1865, around the time that General Robert E. Lee surrendered his
Confederate troops to General Ulysses Grant. You history buffs may
well-know that the place the two generals met to agree to stop fighting
was a site in Virginia called Appomattox. The 2nd act
fast-forwarded to the mid 1960s during the height of the civil rights
era when the right to vote was the central theme.
I
was pleased to see the face of Soloman Howard, Morgan Music alumnus, as
the leading male role in the opera. Soloman played Frederick Douglass
in the first half during the time near the end of the civil war,
fighting for the Negro right to vote. In the 2nd half, he played the
role of Martin Luther King, as he also fought for the same “right to
vote” over 100 years later. This dichotomy was brilliant, showing with
similar figures in history, how little we have progressed in one hundred
years. Soloman, as always, gave a command performance, collecting the
largest applause during the curtain call.
Morgan
was well-represented in this production, as Morgan alumna, Leah Hawkins
also had a principal role in the production. There were many Morgan
connections in the opera chorus including Morgan voice faculty member
Suzanne Chadwick, former MSU choir members Alia Waheed, and Louis Davis.
If
you get the chance, I heartily encourage you to attend any of the
remaining performances: Friday, November 20; Saturday, November 21; or
Sunday, November 22, 2015.
After
the production, I went backstage to say hello to Soloman and Leah, and
saw former Morgan President Earl S. Richardson and his wife, Sheila.
They were beaming from ear-to-ear in reminiscing the many times that
they had seen the principals sing with the Morgan choir over the years.
Please
see a flyer with Soloman as the face for the opera company.
Hope you can out to support Soloman and hear a very good opera!
EC
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