About Harlem Opera Theater

Under Artistic Director, Gregory Hopkins, internationally acclaimed tenor, conductor, organist and pianist, Harlem Opera Theater performances include all types of musical offerings: opera, oratory concerts, recitals, Negro Spirituals and varied forms of American music, in keeping with our mission “to provide performance opportunities for professional and developing gifted artists within Harlem and communities where opera is seldom performed; and to cultivate and expand audience appreciation for opera and classical music through creative programming.” Particular focus is given to the works of African-American composers and to projects that link different aspects of the performing arts.

Our History and Achievements

Founded in 2001 as a non-profit corporation, Harlem Opera Theater’s concert season includes a Community Holiday Sing in December presenting Handel’s Messiah with orchestra and traditional holiday songs; Salute to Black History Month in February – celebrating the Negro Spiritual by composers such as Hall Johnson; Sacred Scenes at Easter with selections of classical composers, such as Verdi, Mozart, Puccini and Scott Joplin. We have hosted a master class for artists and a community focus group session with Harlem stakeholders. We also collaborate with other organizations to present new artists throughout the year. We have presented approximately 60 professional and developing artists to a combined audience of over 7000 persons.

Our Performances

Harlem Opera Theater has performed in multiple forums and venues including the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Columbia University, ” A Great Day in Harlem” at Grants Tomb, The Theatre at Riverside Church, Convent Avenue Baptist Church, St, Mary’s Episcopal Church, Trinity Church in the Bronx, the Manhattan School of Music and the United Nations. In 2001, we hosted a Memorial Concert of Sacred Music to benefit the families and victims of the World Trade tragedy; and in 2005, Harlem Opera Theater hosted a concert to benefit the victims and families of Hurricane Katrina. In 2005-2007, Harlem Opera Theater artists performed in nine (9) concerts at the New York Historical Society, Weekend Gospel and Spiritual Concert series: as part of the Slavery in New York exhibition. In 2007-2008 Season, Harlem Opera Theater presents music education and exposure to classical opera to enrich the lives of children, through in-school performances in the NYC Public Schools. We are presently developing an on line school literacy program, “Opera for Beginners” funded by the Verizon Foundation. Harlem Opera Theater’s repertoire also includes a Vocal Competition for classical singers. Our goal is to add opera to the “CultureScape of Harlem”

 
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