Singing After Crying

Worried that she would miss an opportunity to lend her voice to the MLK’s March on Washington, Marian Anderson cried as she was caught in the crowd. It was followed by a soul stirring performance of He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.

PROGRAM IDEA: Host an opera talk on Marian Anderson for Women’s History Month in March [operatalks.com]

Two Divas with Oscar Buzz

With March roaring in, the Oscars are abuzz with many predictions. However, the top whisper is Angelina Jolie’s   portrayal of famous opera diva, Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraìn, the 2024 film will be released on Netflix in December.

 
PROGRAM IDEA: Host an opera talk on Maria Callas so your audience can be familiar with the legendary singer portrayed by Angelina Jolie for Women’s History Month.

A famous American music master synthesizes jazz, blues and classical music

Who said that classical music is rigid? American composer, George Gershwin had the gift of combining Jazz and Classical  Music that keeps the listener on their toes.

PROGRAM IDEA: Create or present a program highlighting George Gershwin for Jazz Appreciation Month in April.

The Look of Love…in the Spring

Like Burt Bachrach and Hal David’s hit: The Look of Love (1967) is all over art and opera. Famous love duets in the arts include: the Kiss by Klimt, the Act 1 opera duet from Puccini’s La Bohème and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

PROGRAM IDEA: Present an Art Talk on famous art that depicts lovers

Opera Talk: Love Duets at the Opera [operatalks.com]

To be or not to be, really?

William Shakespeare’s famous works influenced the arts in a myriad of ways. From art to opera to classical music, you can show appreciation for this famous playwright through other arts mediums like ballet, art or opera.

PROGRAM IDEA: Present an art talk on how Shakespeare influenced art or an opera talk on opera’s influenced by Shakespeare in April.

Expand the Chinese New Year to Pan Asian American Appreciation

Prolific black artist, Derrick Adams has an exhibit at the Parish Museum through January 5th. Adams along with artists, Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald, Kadir Nelson and Simon Leigh represent a few black artists shaping the artistic cultural landscape through media and high profile festivals.

PROGRAM IDEA: Present an art talk on black artists highlighting for Women’s History Month or Juneteenth

5 Black Artists to Know

 Prolific black artist, Derrick Adams has an exhibit at the Parish Museum through January 5th. Adams along with artists, Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald, Kadir Nelson and Simon Leigh represent a few black artists shaping the artistic cultural landscape through media and high profile festivals.

PROGRAM IDEA: Present an art talk on black artists highlighting for Women’s History Month or Juneteenth

Ode to the Black Dandy–

Black Men in the Arts

The MET Museum recently announced that the upcoming theme for The Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. The theme that will also be highlighted in the star-studded Vogue Met Gala is inspired by Guest Curator Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity (2009). This theme highlights how “Dandyism” paired bold fashion and social possibilities in black men throughout the 19th and 20th century. Highlighting black men in fashion can also be connected to Black men in the arts.

PROGRAM IDEA: Opera Talk:

Black Men in Opera [operatalks.com]

Black Dancers in Ballet: History of the Alvin Ailey Company