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Opera Spotlight

• Harry Lawrence Freeman—The Black WagnerApril 17, 2023
  The first major American opera composer is not who you might expect, a Black man born right after the Civil War in Cleveland, Ohio. Harry Lawrence Freeman (1869-1954) is perhaps on of the most unique American composers whose work spans the 19th and 20th century. Born in Cleveland to a middle class home, Freeman wasContinue reading “Harry Lawrence Freeman—The Black Wagner”
• Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s “Blues Opera” is coming back to the stageApril 7, 2023
  Harold Arlen (1905-1986) is best known for his contributions to movie musicals, penning one of the most popular songs in movie history, the Wizard of Oz’s “Over the Rainbow.” What is not as well known are his works outside of Hollywood. A little known opera Arlen composed in 1959 with librettist Johnny Mercer, Free andContinue reading “Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s “Blues Opera” is coming back to the stage”
• The Jazz Operas of W. Franke HarlingApril 5, 2023
  In 1925, composer W. Franke Harling (1887-1958) set out to make an opera that experimented with jazz. This concept made headlines across the musical world, “New American Music Drama of Redemption Utilizes’ Jazz” is just one example from Musical America.[1] What makes this opera unique is it premiered 10 years before the opera that isContinue reading “The Jazz Operas of W. Franke Harling”