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Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’ Becomes the Second Opera by a Black Composer Performed at Metropolitan Opera House
ABOVE: Latonia Moore and Ryan Speedo Green in Champion (Photo by Ken Howard/ Met Opera) Terence Blanchard’s Champion recently premiered at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, becoming the second opera performed in the venue by a Black composer. The first was Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which premiered in 2019. […]
The post Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’ Becomes the Second Opera by a Black Composer Performed at Metropolitan Opera House first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
ABOVE: Latonia Moore and Ryan Speedo Green in Champion (Photo by Ken Howard/ Met Opera)
Terence Blanchard’s Champion recently premiered at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, becoming the second opera performed in the venue by a Black composer. The first was Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which premiered in 2019.
To celebrate Blanchard’s second work, the Met kicked off opening night with a glittery, star-studded event. Celebrity guests Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, Spike Lee, Phylicia Rashad, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts and more enjoyed a pre-show boxing-themed reception with commentary from New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Champion is based on the true story of middleweight boxing champion Emile Griffith, a New York hat-factory worker who rose to world champion while attempting to keep his bisexual identity secret. Griffith killed his arch-rival Benny “Kid” Paret in the ring after being outed by him at the weigh-in of their final title fight, an event that haunted Griffith for the rest of his life.
Baritones Ryan Speedo Green and Eric Owen portray Emile as a young boxer and as his tormented and punch-drunk older self, respectively. Celebrated Soprano Latonia Moore plays Emile’s mother Emelda Griffith. Camille A. Brown, known for her work on the Met’s Porgy and Bess, choreographed the production.
On April 29, 2023, a performance of Champion will be transmitted to cinemas worldwide as part of the company’s The Met: Live in HD series. A recording of the April 29 performance will also be rebroadcast over the Toll Brothers–Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network on May 27, 2023.
In partnership with Harlem School of the Arts and The Brotherhood Sister Sol, the Met is leading a series of workshops and master classes focusing on opera in jazz and the athleticism of opera singing.
Champion runs for a limited engagement at the Met through May 13, 2023.
The post Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’ Becomes the Second Opera by a Black Composer Performed at Metropolitan Opera House appeared first on Houston Forward Times.
The post Terence Blanchard’s ‘Champion’ Becomes the Second Opera by a Black Composer Performed at Metropolitan Opera House first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome back for our first show of the year! This week, Alma and her panel answer viewer mail. As always …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome back for our first show of the year! This week, Alma and her panel answer viewer mail. As always …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST
Think you’re the only one with problems? Each week, NNPA advice columnist Alma Gill, along with her panel of guest advisors …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
Think you’re the only one with problems? Each week, NNPA advice columnist Alma Gill, along with her panel of guest advisors …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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