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With Jessye Norman performing at the Clinton inauguration, Kathleen
Battle appearing as the Vatican's Easter Mass soloist, and Simon
Estes singing Wotan at New York's Metropolitan Opera, contemporary
audiences may take for granted the prominence of African-American
singers in opera. Yet it was just 50 years ago that Marian
Anderson was barred from Washington's Constitution Hall, and
black opera performers have trod a stony path to reach the
pinnacle of today's success. Framed by archival clips and new
musical sequences, "AÏDA'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Black Voices in Opera" tells the story
of African-Americans in opera from the times of the legendary
Paul Robeson. Featured in interviews, on Wednesday, February
16th, at 9:30 pm on PBS (check local listings), will be Barbara Hendricks, Grace Bumbry, Simon Estes, Robert
McFerrin (the first black baritone to perform at the Met) and
his son Bobby McFerrin, Shirley Verrett, and many
others, as well as insights from opera company directors and
orchestra conductors.
In Behind the Scenes, writer John Ardoin introduces us to the African-American pioneers in opera. The life and legacy of Marian Anderson is the subject of A Look at the Work. An interview with soprano Shirley Verrett about her career and the struggles of black artists to succeed in the world of opera is featured in Meet the Artists.
 
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| Hear Marian Anderson's rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria" (3.0 MB), with conductor Leopold Stokowoski. To view this video clip, you must have the free QuickTime 3 or higher.
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Leontyne Price performs Carl Maria von Weber's "Freischütz" (1.7 MB). To view this video clip, you must have the free QuickTime 3 or higher. |
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