THE OPERA DIVA SERIES-soprano Angela M. Brown

06/30/11 • 52 min

My dearest apologies to my listeners for the technical difficulties in the beginning of this interview. You find that these "real" moments actually add to the fun nature of this live conversation! Opera Diva, Angela M. Brown drops in on Patrick D. McCoy, The African-American Voice in Classical Music about her exciting career interest in the area of opera, including her program "Opera from a Sista's Point of View," he recent wedding in Paris and her future career goals. Angela Brown personifies the ideal American dramatic soprano: sheer vocal power; luxurious finesse; shimmering, high pianissimos; and a charming personality larger than life. Her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in 2004 sparked a media excitement with reviews from The New York Times: "At last an Aida," the Associated Press: "she combines a potent, dusky lower register with a striking ability to spin out soft high notes of shimmering beauty. There's no doubt her voice is powerful enough for Verdi," CBS Evening News: "the future of opera has arrived," and features on the front page of The New York Times and in Oprah Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Classical Singer, Reader's Digest, and Psychology Today. In fall 2009, Angela received the Governor's Arts Award from the Governor of Indiana, a Spirit of the Prairie Award from Conner Prairie in Indiana, and was inducted into the Indianapolis Public Schools Hall of Fame. Miss Brown is a trailblazer on a mission to bring operatic and classical vocal performance to a diverse audience. Her witty and inspired recital program titled "Opera from a Sistah's Point of View" dispels the myths of opera through lively commentary on opera plots and characters, show-stopping arias, poignant art songs and moving spirituals.

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THE TRAILBLAZER SERIES: Soprano Leona Mitchell

Legendary Metropolitan Opera soprano Leona Mitchell drops in on Patrick D. McCoy, The African American Voice in Classical Music to discuss her only New York City appearance this weekend with the Metro Chamber Orchestra. After her debut in Carmen with the San Francisco Opera, Ms. Mitchell made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the same opera n 1975. Her recording of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with Lorin Maazel and the Cleveland Orchestra brought her international acclaim. Several recordings and television appearances are all to her credit. A Grammy Award Winning Soprano, Mitchell sang for 18 seasons with the The Metropolitan Opera. Appearances in other great houses include Paris, Covent Garden, Vienna, Rome, Australia, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, Chicago, Caracalla, and The Orange Festival amongst others. She has also appeared with some major symphony orchestras including those in London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and many others. Miss Mitchell has sung for four of US Presidents: Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. She has also sung for many dignitaries: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Honorable Saundra Day O'Connor, and Bishop Tutu. .

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I TOO, SING AMERICA SERIES: Mark Steven Doss, Bass-Baritone

Celebrated Bass-Baritone Mark Steven Doss will inaugurate the I TOO, SING AMERICA SERIES, a sequence of interviews celebrating the African-American male presence in the international firmament of opera and classical music. Mr. Doss will discuss the performances of his signature role of Méphistophélès in the Santa Fe Opera Company’s production of Faust and highlights of his great operatic career. A celebrated bass-baritone, his accomplishments include a Grammy Award for his work on the recording of Semele (Handel), and numerous engagements with the famous Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. When he is not touring, Mr. Doss divides his time between residences in Toronto and Pennsylvania.