Opera Las Vegas to present Opera Legends in Black

In the afterglow of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday commemoration, Opera Las Vegas invites the public to Opera Legends in Black, a free tribute concert that celebrates a rich African American operatic legacy at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., at 3 p.m. on Jan. 20. Admission is free for the public.

Some of the Southwest’s most acclaimed singers will captivate audiences with selections and informative narration recalling many of Operadom’s stellar Black operatic practitioners.

The 60-minute program, hosted by Deseree Whitt, will showcase the inspirational international success stories of such heralded singers as Martina Arroyo, Jessye Norman, Leontyne Price, George Shirley, Marion Anderson, Shirley Verrett, and Reri Grist, among others. The varied selections will consist of world-famous classical arias and songs ranging from Puccini (La Rondine, La Boheme) to Saint-Saens (Samson and Delilah), and Bizet (Carmen) to Gounod (Romeo and Juliet), with a spiritual thrown into the mix. The program will also showcase historically important pieces like Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha.

On hand to raise their voices in joyous celebration are three of Opera Las Vegas’ top-tier young singers: Sopranos Sheronda McKee-Dollar, a local favorite for her past stirring OLV performances; Monica Williams-McCullough, an acclaimed performer and renowned voice teacher; and tenor Christian Shelton, an award-winning University of Nevada Las Vegas student.  Maestra Kathleen Leung will provide stirring support on the grand piano.

Audiences can expect to be treated to a fast-paced musical journey that promises to be entertaining, enriching, and enlightening. Opera Legends in Black is supported in part by Nevada Humanities. Find out more about Opera Las Vegas by visiting www.operlasvegas.com and follow on Facebook @ OperaLasVegas, Instagram @ OperaLasVegas, X (formerly Twitter) @ OperaLV and YouTube @ Operalasvegas7735.