Opera...from a Sistah's Point of View
International opera star Angela Brown is a trail blazer on a mission to bring opera to everyone. Her witty and inspired solo show Opera…from a Sistah’s Point of View dispels the common myths of opera. On October 15, join Angela at the Sisters Chapel at Spelman College as she delves into opera with her zany commentary, unravels convoluted plots with humor, and creates a fresh awareness of the ethnic, geographic, and socio-economic diversity portrayed in opera characters. Filled with show-stopping arias, poignant art songs and moving spirituals, Angela Brown opens new minds, hearts, and ears to the beauty and imagination of opera. The concert is free and open to the public.
Angela Brown
Angela Brown personifies the ideal soprano: sheer vocal power; luxurious finesse; and shimmering, high pianissimos. With a charming personality larger than life, she unites opera, pops, and gospel in one sensational voice. Her highly successful Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Aida captured instant attention from international media and catapulted her onto the world’s prestigious opera and symphonic stages.
Angela’s international reputation continues to grow with milestones that include singing on the Grammy Award®-winning recording of “Ask Your Mama,” composer Laura Karpman’s setting of the poem by Langston Hughes, and debuting the role of Addie Parker in the American opera Charlie Parker’s Yardbird in the 2015 world-premiere with Opera Philadelphia. She reprised the role in historic performances at The Apollo in New York City as well as Lyric Opera of Chicago, Madison Opera, The Atlanta Opera, and in London at The Hackney Empire. This season, Angela sings Addie for Seattle Opera and New Orleans Opera and performs her outreach show Opera…from a Sistah’s Point of View in the USA.
Throughout her career, Angela has joined forces with symphonic pops legends Jack Everly, Marvin Hamlisch, and Erich Kunzel while traveling the world for classical performances at Lincoln Center, Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, Capetown (South Africa) Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Edmonton Opera, Calgary Philharmonic, Shanghai World Expo, Moscow Performing Arts Center, and more.
Get the Feeling
Sisters Chapel, Spelman College
350 Spelman Lane, SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Directions
For those using GPS navigation, the following address will bring you directly to the Spelman College entrance:
440 Westview Dr. S.W.
Atlanta 30310
From I-75/85 N and S – Take I-20 West and exit (#55B) at Lee Street. Turn right onto Lee Street and continue through the next traffic light (Westview Drive). You will see a large parking lot on the right-hand side. Turn right into the first driveway and you will approach the gates of Spelman College.
From I-20 East – Exit (#55A) at Lowery Blvd. Cross Lowery Blvd. and continue on Oak Street to the next traffic light. Turn left onto Lee Street and cross the bridge over I-20 and continue through the next two traffic lights. You will see a large parking lot on the right-hand side. Turn right into the first driveway and you will approach the gates of Spelman College.
From I-20 West – Exit (#55B) at Lee Street. Turn right onto Lee Street and continue through the next traffic light (Westview Drive). You will see a large parking lot on the right-hand side. Turn right into the first driveway and you will approach the gates of Spelman College.
About Spelman College
Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman College was renamed in 1924. Now a global leader in the education of women of African descent, Spelman is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and are proud members of the Atlanta University Center Consortium.
Today the student body comprises more than 2,100 students from 43 states and 10 foreign countries. Spelman empowers women to engage the many cultures of the world and inspires a commitment to positive social change through service. They are dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and the intellectual, creative, ethical and leadership development of our students.
Spelman is proud of its 76 percent graduation rate (average over six years), one of the best in the nation, but its support doesn’t stop once you step on stage to take your diploma. Our global alumnae network is strong, providing connections and helping hands to graduates as they begin on their path of global engagement.
Pianist
Mauro Ronca
Mauro Ronca is a recent graduate of The Atlanta Opera Studio. He is a member of the music staff at Opera Theater of Saint Louis, and has previously worked as a repetiteur for The Atlanta Opera, Kentucky Opera, Juilliard Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. He currently serves as Atlanta Concert Opera’s first music director and has recently conducted its inaugural season’s performance of The Marriage of Figaro. Mauro studied piano, composition, organ, and conducting at the Conservatories of Alessandria and Bologna in Italy, and later specialized in vocal accompanying at University of Georgia and Manhattan School of Music.
