Patrick Blackwell and John Malveaux
John Malveaux of
writes:
Entered LA
Opera production of AKHNATEN at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Nov 27,
2016 after
walking past a gentle group of African Americans with protest signs and
distributing literature declaring AKHNATEN was a Black African and the
opera production distort Black History. Anthony Roth Costanzo was
casted as AKHNATEN.
As founder/president of MusicUNTOLD with a mission to promote diversity
in arts & education, I understood
the basis of the protest but was respectful of LA Opera’s casting.
NEFERTITI
was J’Nai Bridges (African American), AYE was Patrick Blackwell (African
American),
HIGH PRIEST OF AMON was Frederick Ballentine (African American),
HOREMHAB was
Kihun Yoon (South Korea), DAUGHTER (one of six) was So Young Park (South
Korea). Although unable to determine the exact number of non-whites in
the chorus, I recognized Aleta
Braxton (African American). In my personal opinion, the strategy to
uplift the image of Africa, African
Americans and other non-white groups in opera is shortsighted by
protesting the
concept of blind casting. Color casting may justify current
discriminatory practices and threaten recent casting advancements.
See pictures backstage with Patrick Blackwell and Frederick Ballentine
holding
flowers.
1 comment:
I thought the show was fabulous. The singing was amazing!!
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