Sunday, October 6, 2019

TheRoanokeStar.com: Opera Roanoke To Present Recital of African American Art Song


The Roanoke Star.com

Roanoke, Virginia

October 4, 2019

As part of its commitment to diverse programming, Opera Roanoke will present Desire of the Soul: A Recital of African American Art Song on November 3, 2019 at Mill Mountain Theatre, sponsored by a grant from the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia.

Soprano and Metropolitan Opera soloist, Dr. Christine Jobson and pianist Dr. Gregory Thompson will guide audiences on an inspiring journey through the poignantly profound music and poetry that is the beautifully rich landscape of African American Art Song.  Dr. Jobson has received praise and critical acclaim for her research and interpretation of these important works including a special judges’ citation in the 2019 American Prize Competition and first place in the 2019 George Shirley vocal competition, a competition named after the first black tenor to have a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera.


The program will feature selected works by Florence Price, H.T. Burleigh, and Betty Jackson King, among others. Most of these songs do not get the attention they deserve among classical circles.  In an article written by the Miami University Alumni Association Jobson says, “It’s been my goal to bring them to light…until it’s no longer a separate genre in a corner, but something appreciated by all classical music educators and performers.”

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