Opera Ebony, America’s longest running African American Opera Company, kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season with a musical montage of “Sass’ N Class” on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., at Aaron Davis Hall, City College of New York (Convent Avenue and West 135th St. on City College campus) New York. “Sass’ N Class” is a musical production originally conceived and directed by Opera Ebony founder and music director, Wayne Sanders. The seven-year-old piece will celebrate America’s best popular music, performed by the Opera Ebony cast adapting jazz, pop and classical music. Pieces from Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter will be performed.
The production will be directed by Music Director Wayne Sanders and features sopranos, Tonya Canady, Angela Owens, Karen Parks; mezzo-soprano, Martine Bhowan; tenors, K’idar Miller, Richard, Montgomery, David Whitley; baritones, Darryl Jordan, Marvin Lowe, Anthony Turner and bass baritone, Davone Tines.
“Opera Ebony’s rich history of innovative and historic productions has been a part of New York City’s music scene for 40 years, states Managing Director Gregory Sheppard. I am privileged to serve an arts institution that has such a strong and vibrant presence in a city with rich and diverse cultural roots.”
For more information and ticket sales visit: www.adhatccny.org or call Aaron Davis Hall Box office at 212.650.6900.
Opera Ebony performs “Sass’ N Class” Information:
Performed by:
Sopranos: Tonya Canady, Angela Owens, Karen Parks; Mezzo-soprano: Martine Bhowan; Tenors: K’idar Miller, Richard, Montgomery, David Whitley; Baritones: Darryl Jordan, Marvin Lowe, Anthony Turner; Bass baritone: Davone Tines.
Song Selection:
“Aunt Hagar’s Children’s Blues” by W. C. Handy; Joe Turner’s Blues by W. C. Handy; “Dat’s Love” by George Bizet; “Slap Dat Bass” by George and Ira Gershwin; “Squeeze Me” by Fats Waller; “Brown Skin Baby Mine” by Will Marion Cook; “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” by Harold Arlan and “What It Takes to Make You Love Me” by James E. Europe.
Directions:
Bus: M11, M18, M100 or M101 to 135th Street
Subway: 1 to 137th Street; A, C or D to 145th Street
Driving: Free parking at West 133rd Street & Convent Avenue or parking on the street .
About Opera Ebony: Opera Ebony is the longest-operating African-American Opera company in the United States. It performs operas from the standard European repertoire in addition to newly commissioned works that engage with African-American history. Founded in 1973, the company has served as a professional platform for thousands of American artists, administrators and the technical staff who help them to refine their talent and perfect their craft. In New York City, Opera Ebony has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Beacon Theatre, and the Manhattan Center. The company has partnered with several major international orchestras, opera companies, and music festivals, including the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, the Finnish National Opera, the Estonia Philharmonic, and the Savonlinna Music Festival.
