Article by Inayah Raheem As one of opera’s rising stars, Opera Star and Activist Raehann Bryce-Davis looks forward to taking Teatro Alla Scala (La Scala) in Milan by storm. Bryce-Davis makes her debut at La Scala as the dynamic and prolific Ulrica from the opera Un Ballo in Maschera on May 14, 2022. When asked what excites her most about this opportunity, she spoke on continuing the legacy of those who came before her. “As an undergrad, I would spend hours watching the operas filmed there; it felt like a distant planet rather than an attainable goal. I'm most excited about adding my voic ..read more

Here’s a growing list of texts that focus on Black studies. Makes my $20,000 degree in Southern Studies and deviation from music worth it. Special thank you to my friend Chris and to my friends Purvis, Danielle, and Lynette. Black Opera: History, Power, Engagement by Naomi Andre In Black Opera, Dr. Andre explores the realities of Black interactions with opera as a lens on Black experiences in the United States and South Africa.  She uses “critically engaged musicology” to discuss the “interwoven history of minstrelsy with opera” and highlight the role of activism in opera (28). She discus ..read more

We love opera, but it is complex. From the languages to the etiquette and let’s not even talk about the technique. For all its complexities, opera embraces the uniqueness of the voice. The most special part of opera is its celebration of varying vocal types. So lucky for you, we can make one aspect of opera simple-ish.  Most Common Voice Types In opera, singers are categorized by their voice’s type and range. This voice type is determined by the color, weight, agility, and timbre (distinct quality) of the person’s voice. The four most common types of voices are: Soprano Mezzo-Soprano Teno ..read more

“I have always admired stylishly confident women who dress with great authority. ” — Audre Leon Talley From Ruth Carter’s “garments of protest” in Do the Right Thing to Diana Ross stopping the world in Jon Higgins’ designs, Black fashion designers stand at the forefront of fine art bringing a strong sense of self to the fashion world. These designers work with performing artists to create experiences of truth, beauty and authority.  Black designers hold the tradition of setting trends and breaking down barriers. They create pivotal moments in history and art. Following the tradition of c ..read more

One of my greatest goals with Black Women in Opera (BWIO) is to serve the community through education on opera and the role Black artists play in the field.  Throughout our BWIO community, many members are doing this work already. BWIOs like Soprano La Toya Lewis dedicate their talents and energy to equipping the next generation with knowledge on the arts.  On January 28, 2020, Lewis took 15 of her students from the Police Athletic League Acting to see the opera Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera.  Tony Danza founded PAL acting to compliment the work presented by the Polic ..read more

I know you haven’t yet heard of an Academy Award winning Emmy Golden Globe winner opera singer but Rehanna Thelwell is just that. She truly captured the audience as Conchetta in Night Trip, a 20-minute African-American coming-of-age Opera by composer Carlos Simon and librettist Sandra Seaton. It tells the story of young Conchetta’s trip (played by Mezzo-Soprano Thelwell) from Chicago to the Deep South with her uncles (played by Baritone Joshua Conyers and Tenor Joshua Blue). On the trip South, Conchetta is confronted by American racism with Southern sensibility seemingly for the first time. Th ..read more

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