Opera From a Sistah's Point of View
presented by Angela Brown
November 11,2009
Over 150 fourth and fifth graders made their way from Alexander II Magnet School to a special performance by international opera soprano Angela Brown at Fickling Hall of the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University on Wednesday, November 11.
Angela Brown currently performs around the world in leading roles for the Metropolitan Opera, National Opera of Paris, Hamburg State Opera, Vienna State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Cape Town Opera (South Africa), and other prominent companies. She is also on a mission to bring opera to the masses.
As students made their way into the seats of Fickling Hall, their teachers prepared them for "Opera from a Sistah's Point of View," Ms. Brown's outreach program to dispel the myths of opera and give audiences who might not normally be exposed to opera a chance to learn about opera in a non-intimidating atmosphere.
By using witty plot and character descriptions and comic relief, Ms. Brown helps the children see that opera can be funny and entertaining and is about all different kinds of people - Spanish, Asian, Egyptian, African, Italian. She wants to show that we can each find ourselves in opera.
The children were enraptured during the performance and responded enthusiastically throughout. There was time for a question and answer session at the end of the program and the children's questions were very good.
Angela Brown was accompanied by pianist Dr. Carol Goff from Townsend School of Music.
The program was captured by CNN for a segment on Angela Brown to air later this year.
Among the guests was Neva Langley Fickling for whom the recital hall is named. Also pictured are Dean John Dickson, Prof. Nancy Rehberg and Mrs. Joan Godsey.
Click here for more information on Angela Brown.
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