Concert to Honor African-American Opera Singers

The growing role of previously unheralded African-American opera singers will be celebrated at a special Opera NOVA concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington.

Just six days after the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday holiday, the concert will be entitled “African-American Opera Singers Past and Present: Recalling Coretta Scott King, Soprano,” in regard to her studies at the New England Conservatory of Music, where she met Dr. King.

The show will be emceed by Charles Williams, noted baritone and voice teacher described as “a true patron saint of the voice” by a noted musician. Among performers will be opera vocalist Elise Jenkins, an emerging young African-American singer, and Elizabeth Hill, accompanist. The program will trace the background of other African Americans who overcame huge odds to make their way in the opera world.

“More and more African American vocalists who audition come highly prepared, with graduate degrees and ready to shoot for the top----they are yearning for performance experience,” says Miriam Miller Opera NOVA’s president. “They no longer need to stay in the shadows of the mainstream opera world.”

The Unitarian church is located at 4444 Arlington Blvd. Ticket price is $10, Donors $20, Members $7 Reservations urged, mcdm1@verizon.net; 703-536-7557.