Friday, February 3, 2012

NYTimes.com: 'Camilla Williams, Barrier-Breaking Opera Star, Dies at 92'


[Camilla Williams, a soprano, in 1946 the New York Opera's first Cio-Cio-San in "Madama Butterfly," was the first black woman signed with a major American opera company. (Copyright New York Times 2012)]

The New York Times
By Margalit Fox  (Excerpt from article)
Published: February 2, 2012 
On May 15, 1946, an unknown singer named Camilla Williams took the stage at City Center in Manhattan as Cio-Cio-San, the doomed heroine of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” Her performance would be the capstone of a night of glorious firsts. Miss Williams, a lyric soprano who began her career as a concert singer, had never been in an opera. The New York CityOpera, the young upstart company with which she was making her debut, had never before staged “Madama Butterfly.”
But there was another, far more important first, though its significance has been largely forgotten over time: As Cio-Cio-San, Miss Williams, the daughter of a chauffeur and a domestic in the Jim Crow South, was the first black woman to secure a contract with a major United States opera company — a distinction widely ascribed in the public memory to the contralto Marian Anderson.

Miss Williams’s performance that night, to rave reviews, came nearly a decade before Miss Anderson first sang at the Metropolitan Opera. As Miss Williams, who died on Sunday at 92, well knew, it was a beacon that lighted the way to American opera houses for other black women, Miss Anderson included.

at 10:39 AM 0 comments

Thursday, February 2, 2012

AmmonNews.net: U.S. Embassy hosts 'American Soprano Nicole Taylor and pianist Daniel Ernst in Jordan,' Feb. 4-6.


[Nicole Taylor, Soprano]

2012-02-01 
“AMMONNEWS – In celebration of Black History Month, the U.S. Embassy in Amman is hosting American Soprano Nicole Taylor and pianist Daniel Ernst in Jordan from February 4-6. Taylor and Ernst performed in Amman in Feb. 2010.

“Taylor and Ernst will perform spiritual and folk songs and present pieces by American composers such as Gershwin and Copland. The duo will hold two free public performances in Jordan, the first in Madaba at 7 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 5, at the Municipality hall during which local poets will recite poems written by African Americans. The second public concert will be in Amman at 7:30 p.m. on Monday Feb. 6 at Al-Hussein Cultural Center in Ras El-Ein.

“Nicole Taylor is a graduate of the masters program at the Juilliard School in New York City. Ms. Taylor has performed a variety of roles in a number of renowned operas and won several musical awards and came in first place at national and international competitions.” Daniel Ernst is a graduate of Fine Arts in Piano Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. He studied piano under Enrique Graf and Earl Wild and obtained a certificate in Piano Pedagogy under the tutelage of Hanna Li. Ernst became a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State in 2001.”


at 11:04 AM 0 comments

'The Life of Camilla Williams, African American Classical Singer and Opera Diva,' Mellen Press (2011)


[The Life of Camilla Williams, African American Classical Singer and Opera Diva; Stephanie Shonekan and Camilla Williams; Mellen Press (2011)]

One of our associates has pointed out that in 2011 Mellen Press published The Life of Camilla Williams, African American Classical Singer and Opera Diva, a 304-page biography by Stephanie Shonekan and Camilla Williams:

Description

“This book is the memoir of an African-American operatic soprano. It is co-written by a Nigerian ethnomusicologist, and relates Williams’ early life, education and subsequent career as an artist and educator. This book contains 3 color plates and seven black and white photographs.”

at 10:27 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sergio Mims: 'Eric Owens Completes the Ring Cycle in Götterdämmerung, Tours Nationally'


[Eric Owens (Photo: Carnegie Hall Interview)]



Sergio Mims sends this update on the operatic career of the bass-baritone Eric Owens:


2012 Tour Schedule, in addition to Metropolitan Opera performances:
February 15 - Recital presented by Friends of Chamber Music Denver; Newman Center; Denver, CO
February 21 - Recital; Carnegie Hall; New York, NY
February 23-25 - Beethoven's Missa solemnis; Boston Symphony Orchestra; Symphony Hall; Boston, MA
February 28 - Recital presented by Philadelphia Chamber Music Society; Kimmel Center; Philadelphia, PA
March 6 - Beethoven's Missa solemnis, Op. 123; Boston Symphony Orchestra; Carnegie Hall; New York, NY
May 19, 26 - Salome (Jochanaan) with The Cleveland Orchestra;  Severance Hall; Cleveland, OH
May 24- Salome (Jochanaan) with The Cleveland Orchestra; Carnegie Hall; New York, NY
May 30, 31 - Verdi Requiem presented by National Arts Centre Orchestra; NAC Southam Hall; Ottawa, Canada
June 7, 9 - John Adams's A Flowering Tree (The Storyteller); Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Atlanta Symphony Hall; Atlanta, GA
July/August - Artist-in-Residence at Glimmerglass Festival 2012

New York, NY – Eric Owens's work as Alberich in the Metropolitan Opera production of Das Rheingold last season was met with universal acclaim: The Philadelphia Inquirer lauded, "Owens alone is worth the ticket"; the New York Times noted his voice was filled with "stentorian vigor"; Manuela Hoelterhoff of Bloomberg cheered, "Eric Owens, now one of the greatest bass-baritones in the world, was sublime as crazy Alberich"; and Alex Ross of The New Yorker proclaimed, "Owens's portrayal is so richly layered that it may become part of the history of the work." It was not without excitement, then, that audiences anticipated Owens's appearance in the next chapter of The Met's first full cycle. The bass-baritone also continues a busy recital tour of his own this season, and appears in concert with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Boston and Atlanta symphony orchestras.

The Metropolitan Opera's production of Götterdämmerung opened on January 27, 2012, and will be performed on February 3, 7, and 11. Fans worldwide can witness the conclusion of the Ring Cycle via The Met: Live HD broadcast series. The performance will screened in movie theaters around the globe--1600 movie theaters in 54 countries--on February 11, 2012, 12 pm ET. The first complete cycles will take place in spring 2012. Owens will sing the role of Alberich in two complete cycles: Das Rheingold on April 7 and 26; Siegfried on April 21 and 30; and Götterdämmerung on April 24 and May 3.

Owens has begun his first-ever recital tour with pianists Robert Spano and Craig Rutenberg. With engagements in Washington, D.C., Berkeley, Portland and Philadelphia, Owens will notably perform February 21 at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall. Owens sings Beethoven’s Missa solemnis with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Boston and at Carnegie Hall: one of three appearances at the New York cultural institution in 2011-2012. Appearing as Jochanaan in Strauss’ Salome with the Cleveland Orchestra, Owens assumes the role in both Cleveland and at Carnegie Hall in May. Summer 2012 begins with Owens reprising the role of The Storyteller in A Flowering Tree by John Adams with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Owens will continue his summer at Glimmerglass Festival 2012 as the Artist-in-Residence. There, he will appear in Aida and Lost in the Stars, and will perform a cabaret evening.

Eric Owens's recital program is as follows:
WOLF Drei Lieder nach Gedichten von Michelangelo
SCHUMANN "Mein Herz ist schwer," Op. 25, No. 15
SCHUMANN "Muttertraum," Op. 40, No. 2
SCHUMANN "Der Schatzgräber," Op. 45, No. 1
SCHUMANN "Melancholie," Op. 74, No. 6
SCHUBERT "Prometheus," D. 674
SCHUBERT "Fahrt zum Hades," D.526
SCHUBERT "Gruppe aus dem Tartarus," D.583
DEBUSSY "Beau soir"
DEBUSSY "Fleur des blés"
DEBUSSY Romance
RAVEL Don Quichotte à Dulcinée
WAGNER "Les deux grenadiers"

Acclaimed for his commanding stage presence and inventive artistry, Eric Owens has carved a unique place in the opera world as both a champion of new music and a powerful interpreter of classic works. Called "consistently charismatic, theatrically and vocally" by New York Magazine and "absolutely remarkable" by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Owens is equally at home in concert, recital and opera performances, bringing his powerful poise, expansive voice and instinctive acting faculties to stages around the globe. Owens received great critical acclaim for portraying the title role in the world premiere of Elliot Goldenthal’s Grendel with the Los Angeles Opera, and again at the Lincoln Center Festival, in a production directed and designed by Julie Taymor. Owens also enjoys a close association with John Adams, and was featured on the September 2008 Nonesuch Records release of Adams's A Flowering Tree. He also originated the role of Leslie Groves in Adams's Doctor Atomic.



at 9:06 PM 0 comments

Michael S. Wright on Camilla Williams: “In 1949, it was rumoured that she would be taking a role in...William Grant Still’s ‘Troubled Island’”



[Camilla Williams]

Earlier today, AfriClassical posted: “Patrick D. McCoy: Virginia State University 'Alumna Soprano Camilla Williams dead at 92.'” Michael S. Wright has also sent us some press links of the passing of Camilla Williams. Deleting one link already posted earlier, we are left with two press links:

Bill,
“You may be aware that the opera singer Camilla Ella Williams died in Indiana aged 92 last Sunday.

“In 1949, it was rumoured that she would be taking a role in the premiere of William Grant Still’s ‘Troubled Island’.” “It never happened…….why?”

at 8:33 PM 1 comments

John Malveaux: Kevin Olusola, 'American original Cello Beat Boxing' on MSNBC & YouTube


[Kevin Olusola]

John Malveaux of www.MusicUNTOLD.com tells us of a 23-year-old Yale graduate, Kevin Olusola, who combines cello performance with beat-boxing:

American original Cello Beat Boxing' on MSNBC

Kevin Olusola's Amazing Solo Cello Beatbox Combo VIDEO (4:16)

at 7:12 PM 0 comments

Patrick D. McCoy: Virginia State University 'Alumna Soprano Camilla Williams dead at 92'


[Camilla Williams]

The legendary soprano, Camilla Williams died at the age of 92. An alumna of Virginia State College (now university) Williams, even before contralto Marian Anderson was the first black woman to sing a major role with an American opera company.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“VSU Alumna Soprano Camilla Williams dead at 92
Feb 01, 2012 - 
Patrick D. McCoy expresses his deepest sympathy to the family of the soprano Camilla Williams who died at the age of 92. Ms. Williams was the first black woman to sing a major role with an American opera company and the first black professor of voice at Indiana University at Bloomington.

"'As a music major at Virginia State University, there was not a time that we, as students were not reminded of the accomplishments of our great music alumni, especially the late jazz great Dr. Billy Taylor and now soprano Camilla Williams. Our choir director Johnnella L. Edmonds always took time to speak of those singers who sometimes are often overlooked, but had extraordinary careers such as Ms. Williams and soprano Reri Grist.' McCoy remembered fondly.

“Interestingly, the New York City Opera debut of Camilla Williams in the title role of 'Madame Butterly' came nine years before Marian Anderson's debut at The Metropolitan Opera. 'It is so sad that the great works of artists such as Ms. Williams are only brought completely to the fore when they die. I am literally ashamed of myself for not diving deep into the recesses of this extraordinary life once lived. To not even know that she sang directly before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and was a musical drum major for justice through her work during the Civil Rights movement grieves me.' McCoy said.”

PRESS COVERAGE OF MS. WILLIAMS' DEATH:

BBC:

THE WASHINGTON POST:

RECENT FOOTAGE ON YOUTUBE:

at 5:18 PM 0 comments

OperaDelaware: 'an afternoon of music by Ralph Vaughan-Williams and H.T. Burleigh' 2 PM, Feb. 5


[Martin Hargrove]

New Series: Adventures in Song on 2/5/12
OperaDelaware will inaugurate its new recital series Adventures in Song with bass Martin Hargrove, soprano Helen Huse Ralston, violist Gregg Ralston and pianist Jeffrey Miller in an afternoon of music by Ralph Vaughan-Williams and H.T. Burleigh. The Song of Travel, Four Hymns for Soprano and Viola, and a selection of Spirituals will make up the hour-long program. OD's Music Director Jeffrey Miller will introduce and accompany the program.

This recital is one performance only, February 5, 2012 at 2 pm at Opera Studios, 4 South Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE. Admission is free and open to the public, but a suggested donation of $10 will be taken at the door.
[Henry Thacker Burleigh (1866-1949) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com]

at 11:23 AM 0 comments

The Takeaway: Birthday of Langston Hughes; Collaborated with William Grant Still on Opera 'Troubled Island'

[Langston Hughes (1939) (Library of Congress); Just Tell the Story: Troubled Island; Judith Anne Still and Lisa M. Headlee]



“Celebrating Langston Hughes and a Personal Connection 
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 
Wednesday is the 110th birthday of Harlem Renaissance author and social activist Langston Hughes. Celebrated around the world for his emotionally charged yet economic use of language, one of the lesser-known aspects of Hughes' legacy is that of lyricist. In a collaboration with the African-American classical composer William Grant Still - and grandfather of The Takeaway's own Celeste Headlee - Hughes created an opera based on the life of Haitian revolution leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines titled 'Troubled Island.'

“Terrance McKnight is weekday evening host on WQXR, New York Public Radio's classical music station. He will also host 'I, Too Sing America: Music in the Life of Langston Hughes,' which premieres tonight at 9pm Eastern on WQXR. The program tells the story of Hughes’ life in music, including the dramatic tale of his collaboration with William Grant Still.”

[William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com Recordings, sheet music and books of William Grant Still are available at www.WilliamGrantStill.com, which is operated by the composer's daughter Judith Anne Still]

at 10:43 AM 0 comments

Regina Harris Baiocchi: '8th Annual Haiku Festival welcomes original poetry'


[Regina Harris Baiocchi]

Regina Harris Baiocchi is an accomplished African American composer, educator and poet based in Chicago. She announces the 8th Annual Haiku Festival:

Dear Poets, Parents & Teachers:

Happy New Year: may your life be filled with great poetry, peace, prosperity, and unspeakable joy in 2012 and beyond!


Our 8th Annual Haiku Festival welcomes original poetry. We offer writing workshops for poets and teachers. Please note:

Eligible: 3rd through 8th graders, ages 8 to 14
Entries: ONE poem per student, on any subject
Format: Three typed or clearly-printed lines, 5-7-5 syllables, NO TITLES
Prizes: $100, $50, $25, $20; Teacher-of-the-Year, School-of-the-Year, Certificates for all participants, and—NEW THIS YEAR: Awards for Best Poem from each school
DEADLINE: Saturday, 24 March 2012 by 12:00 midnight
Enter @: www.HaikuFest.com or via: “Haiku Festival, P. O. Box 450, Chicago, IL 60690”

Winners Announced: ~15 April 2012 (Please check web site for rules.)
AWARDS PROGRAM: Saturday, 28 April 2012 @ 10:00 AM, Harold Washington Library, 400 South State Street, Chicago 60605
Guest: Valerie Wallace, author of Dictators’ Guide to Good Housekeeping
Questions: Please email Info@HaikuFest.com or call 312-253-7453

Please contact me to schedule a workshop in your school for teachers or students. Please share this email with poets, parents and teachers. We look forward to receiving your poems!

Sincerely,
Regina Baiocchi
www.HaikuFest.com
www.ReginaHarrisBaiocchi.com

at 9:53 AM 0 comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)