Page 494 - Opera News Today

But it has not been an easy path for black opera singers. the royal opera house is one of the busiest theatres in the world, and it is also leading in its drive for greater diversity and inclusion. black opera singers, mostly african—americans, are among some of the best—known names in opera history. but over the decades, performers of colour have faced major obstacles in securing big roles. for many, many years it was very hard for black singers to make it in opera, and particular through t...

I was in love with opera from the beginning, but i actually did not know there was opera, ijust thought it was music. and, exciting french tenor benjamin bernheim on the thrill of live performances. what we want is for people to dress up and come to see us, and come to the opera house and the concert hall. what does the future hold for young singers in an opera world that has been transformed by technology, social media, and demands for greater diversity? and, could the changes make opera better...

In which we do things, for example building sets that arent quite so extravagant. behind—the—scenes, this is the beating heart of the props department that makes all sorts of things for the stage at the royal opera house here in covent garden in london. we are already seeing a lot of virtual reality in opera, particular set designs. to actually do have these virtual sets, where you can design things, travel around, they are more flexible and versatile. moreover, it is now easier and easier t...

Is one of the busiest theatres in the world, and it is also leading in its drive for greater diversity and inclusion. black opera singers, mostly african—americans, are among some of the best—known names in opera history. but over the decades, performers of colour have faced major obstacles in securing big roles. for many, many years it was very hard for black singers to make it in opera, and particular through the 505 and 605, when suddenly there was some real talent coming out. these amazi...

Because we have the culture of singing, which is choral music and african music, which is actually not farfrom opera. in the autumn of 2021, cecilia is taking a major step in her career when she becomes a house soloist with the swiss national opera in the capital, bern. cecilia is a special talent, and its notjust because of her voice, which is of course glorious, and especially for her age as well. she is an outstanding talent, considering how young she is. but it is also the fabulous warmth sh...

For example building sets that arent quite so extravagant. behind—the—scenes, this is the beating heart of the props department that makes all sorts of things for the stage at the royal opera house here in covent garden in london. we are already seeing a lot of virtual reality in opera, particular set designs. to actually do have these virtual sets, where you can design things, travel around, they are more flexible and versatile. moreover, it is now easier and easier to watch opera anywhere....

Yes, you have got tojoin the ideas. the way he has invested in the story, he has so much knowledge, how he knows of the voice, how it should sound, what vowels to use, it is amazing. so he puts you through your paces with the italians rolling their rs. that is very important in opera. how warm is your voice now? could you give us

It is very important that we embrace diversity, not least because it sits within a tradition of diversity on our stage. we are proud of the fact that singers of colour were performing on our stage right back to the 1950s, 1960s, �*70s, some really famous names in there. grace bumbry being just one. its important we carry on that tradition. i met grace at a competition and we didnt have much time, but we did take pictures and she did give a talk to encourage everyone to say how well we are doin...

That the males would have to blacken their face to play othello. how does that make you feel? the stories we are telling does not discriminate, does not choose who or how you look like, where you come from, and it doesnt matter who is telling the story. it is the story of the character we are telling that should be important. # she wasnt wearing slacks...#. cecilia would like to be seen as a role model for black artists wanting to make it in opera. so, i think slowly but surely, we are going to ...

Benjamin is from the next generation of superstars, but he is concerned about the pressures of the internet age on opera singers. you know, today we dont have time any more. before, we used to have time. cell phones exist, internet exists, streaming exists. we are in a hurry, i am in a hurry. this is why i call the opera business a jungle sometimes. the opera world is evolving rapidly. when a younger generation of artists have to embrace changes in the way opera is produced and enjoy. during loc...