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WELCOME to our website where you can buy tickets to our performances; find an opera singer for your event or performance; take a class or workshop; and learn about Opera in the Harlem community.
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Click here
to hear our Artistic Director, Gregory Hopkins, and the Convent Avenue Gospel Choir, singing during their South American Tour.
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Celebrate Women's History Month
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Saturday, March 20, 2010 7:30 PM
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Harlem Opera Theater’s concert, scheduled originally on February 26, 2010, as a Salute to Black History Month, was postponed due to weather conditions. The concert will now Celebrate Women’s History Month, which is appropriate for a concert of excerpts from “Queenie Pie,” the unfinished opera composed by legendary musician, Duke Ellington, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Described by Duke Ellington as an “opera comique” and set in the village of Harlem, classical singers will present excerpts from the world of Ellington’s “Queenie,” who after years as the reigning queen of beauty in Harlem, searches for eternal youth when her crown is challenged by a rival. This colorful, eclectic opera was loosely written as a tribute to Madame C.J. Walker, the daughter of slaves, who developed hair care products for women of color and became the first African-American and the first female, self-made millionaire. Ellington’s opera “Queenie Pie” will be told through the extraordinary voices of emerging and professional classical singers of Harlem Opera Theater.
New Date!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
6pm – Pre-Reception and Concert - $30.
7:30pm – Concert only - $25.
Schomburg Center for Research
in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
Lenox Ave @ 135th St., NYC
Tickets on-line www.harlemoperatheater.org
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Tickets also on sale in Harlem:
THE DOLLAR INTERNET CAFE
1687 Amsterdam Avenue, NYC
(143rd and 144th St.)
Open: Monday - Saturday - 10am to 10pm
Sunday - 10am to 8pm
Tickets - Cash Only Please.
February Concert Tickets will be honored on March 20, 2010.
Message line: 212-592-0780
Travel: Schomburg Center: 2, 3 trains to 135th & Lenox Avenue.
SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US!
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In Memoriam: Raoul Abdul (1929-2010)
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“Music critic, author, singer, Raoul Abdul died in Manhattan Friday, 15 January 2010. Abdul was a concert baritone, German lieder expert and writing scholar. At the time of his passing Abdul was the music critic for the New York Amsterdam News. His column was titled “Reading the Score.” We are grateful to him for the many articles on Harlem Opera Theater that appeared in the Amsterdam News over the years. Click here for Raoul Abdul's complete obituary.
Click below to read Raoul Abdul's article about HOT's Vocal Competition which appeared in the May 21-May 27, 2009 issue of The New York Amsterdam News. Click here for article.
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WINNERS OF THE 2009 VOCAL COMPETITION
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Photo:(left to right) Gregory Hopkins, Artistic Director, Flora Mendoza, Mezzo- Soprano, (second place/College Division), Timothy Springs, Baritone (third place /College Division), Audrey Du Bois, Soprano (first place/ Professional Division), J’nai Bridges, Mezzo-Soprano (first place/College Division), Jorell Williams, Baritone (second place/Professional Division), Seung Hwan, Tenor (third place/Professional Division), all winners of the Judges Choice Awards. J’nai Bridges and Audrey DuBois also received the Audience Choice Awards.
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Betty Allen, Mezzo-Soprano, Dies at 82
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It is with deepest sadness that The Harlem School of the Arts announces the passing of Ms. Betty Allen, The Harlem School of the Arts’ President Emeritus.
On Monday, June 22nd, Ms. Allen died peacefully at Westchester Medical Center with her family by her side.
Considered “one of the most endearing and powerful voices of the century,” mezzo-soprano Betty Allen has
been a guiding force at HSA since she became Executive Director upon the retirement of the school’s founder
Dorothy Maynor, in 1979.
Born in Campbell, Ohio, Betty Allen made her operatic debut in 1954 as Queenie in Showboat. She made her
New York recital debut at Town Hall in 1958. In 1964, she made her formal Opera debut at the Teatro Colon in
Buenos Aires, Argentina, followed by countless appearances worldwide.
Beyond bringing joy to audiences of all ages with her beautiful voice, Ms. Allen has long been committed to
nurturing young artists across all disciplines. In addition to her many years as a leader and master teacher with
HSA, Ms. Allen has also taught at the North Carolina School of Arts, the Manhattan School of Music, and the
Curtis institute of Music in Philadelphia. She also holds Honorary Doctorates from Wittenberg University, Union
College, Adelphi University, Clark University in Massachusetts and the New School in New York City.
While HSA was born of the commitment and ideals of its founder, it was Betty Allen who strengthened the
foundation of the vibrant and inspiring institution that it is today. We were honored to present Betty Allen with
the inaugural Betty Allen Lifetime Achievement award at the Art is Life Gala on Monday, March 9, 2008 and to
enjoy her presence at this year’s benefit.
HSA President & CEO Kakuna Kerina said: “The impact Betty Allen has made as an artist and arts educator is
measured in the tens of thousands of lives she influenced in their youth. She was unique in that the standards
she applied to herself were the same as the standards she expected of others, and we are better for it. We
extend our condolences to Ms. Allen’s family and thank them for sharing her with a vast community of admirers
throughout the world.”
“Opera for Beginners” is an interactive program that promotes literacy through music! The community school auditorium becomes a concert hall complete with live singers (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone and/or bass) and a pianist, as students and teachers listen to great music from the operas of master composers!
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SEASON CALENDAR: 2009 - 2010
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Click here for upcoming performances.
OUR FIRST MASTER CLASS OF CLASSICAL ARTISTS
conducted by Elizabeth Cole, Vocal Consultant of Eve Queller's Opera Orchestra of New York with Doug Martin on piano.
Click here for more information.
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The Transition Network presents Harlem Opera Theater
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Nearly 100 Transition Network members and their guests were treated to a glorious evening of song at a gala concert held at the Liederkranz Foundation's beautiful townhouse, on October 20th, 2007. The first part of the program consisted of classical opera selections sung by Geraldine McMillian, soprano, and Lawrence Craig, baritone, members of the Harlem Opera Theater. Following an intermission, Ms. McMillian and Mr. Craig returned to perform African-American spirituals and selections from Porgy and Bess. The range of their talent, the richness of their voices, the diversity of their repertoire and their ability to transform themselves into their respective character roles resulted in well-deserved shouts of bravo and a standing ovation. They were splendidly accompanied on the grand piano by Byron Sean. A Viennese pastry dessert reception for the artists followed the performance.
Source: The Transition Network Newsletter
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“Trial by Jury” Gilbert and Sullivan
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Finding her voice: How Barbara Smith Conrad sang her way into civil-rights history
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Click below to read the amazing story, written by Josh Max, of Barbara Smith Conrad and her work to preserve and celebrate Negro spirituals. Click here for article.
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Harlem Gospel and Jazz Theater
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Check out the website of our affiliate, Harlem Gospel and Jazz Theater. View their video clips and photo gallery.
Click here for website.
To develop an Opera Theater in the Harlem Community which will provide performance opportunities for gifted and developing singers; bring opera and classical music to Harlem and to other communities where this genre of music is seldomed performed and cultivate a new audience especially among children and youth.
For further information about Harlem Opera Theater including our history, past performances, Board of Directors and affiliates
CLICK HERE!
Map of Harlem
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Refer a Friend
Harlem Opera Theater is a non-profit organization. We depend on donations from people such as you to fulfill our mission. All donations, no matter how small are welcome. Donations may be sent to:
Harlem Opera Theater
c/o Gregory Hopkins, Artistic Director
Convent Avenue Baptist Church
425 West 144th Street
New York, NY 10031
(212) 592-0780
We will send you a receipt for your records.
Thank you in advance for your support!!
Harlem Opera House
207 West 125th Street, New York, NY
Built 1888 for Oscar Hammerstein
In 1922 purchased by Frank Schiffman and Leo Brecher.
Verna Haskins Denny, Web Master
Harlem Opera Theater's 2010 Season is funded in part by the Friends of Harlem Opera Theater.
Thanks and Appreciation to Tyesha Sims of The Dollar Internet Cafe for support of Harlem Opera Theater.
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