John Malveaux: Sun. Oct. 31, 2021 attended LA Opera Tannhäuser with appreciation and recollections.

Issachar Savage

(LA Opera)

John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com writes:

Sun. Oct. 31, 2021 attended LA Opera Tannhäuser with appreciation and recollections. Appreciation because LA Opera staged a second consecutive operatic canon successfully casting African Americans in principal roles. Bass-baritone Morris Robinson also sang in llTrovatore  and the part of Landgrave Hermann in Tannhäuser.  Tenor Issachar Savage was Tannhäuser. Los Angeles local bass baritone Patrick Blackwell sang Reinmar Von Zweter.

During intermission, I surveyed the audience and recalled past benefits of being a member of African Americans for LA opera during the presidency of Dr. Eva Grant. AALAO is a subgroup of the Opera League of Los Angeles. Dr. Grant was enthusiastically devoted to the Opera League and she organized wonderful programs recruiting African Americans. I recalled purchasing a group ticket from AALAO to attend Porgy & Bess in 2007. After the performance, the group attended a cast party in the opulent Founders Room. I also recalled a luncheon organized by Dr. Grant to showcase upcoming young opera talent which featured current Metropolitan Opera soprano Angel Blue who was a junior at LA County HS for the Arts.

Dr. Grant resigned years ago due to cancer and I do not know her current circumstances. She is one who helped bring us thus far and AALAO services are greatly needed again. See pic Issachar Savage (LA Opera).