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At the heart of “Aida” is an African love story: the Ethiopian princess Aida is torn between loyalty to her country and passion for her captor, the Egyptian general Radamès, who loves her in return. But when “Aida” premiered in Cairo in 1871, very few Africans went to see it, let alone could afford the price of a ticket. The original audience for “Aida,” in fact, was the European elite in Egypt, whose economic fortunes and imperial ambitions were inextricably linked to the American Civil War. Verdi's “Aida” often portrays Egyptians as white and free and Ethiopians as Black and enslaved, reinforcing colonial stereotypes and colorism. It's a practice still present in many modern-day productions. What role has opera played in colonialism, empire, and capitalism? Does art imitate life, or does it obscure it? Join McKnight's investigation in this radio special featuring WQXR's own Nimet Habachy, as well as opera talents Limmie Pulliam, Angela Brown, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Sir Willard White and more. “Every Voice” is hosted by Terrance McKnight. The Executive Producer is Tony Phillips. The Executive Producer for WQXR Podcasts is Elizabeth Nonemaker. Our research team includes Ariel Elizabeth Davis, Pranathi Diwakar, Ian George, and Jasmine Ogiste. Sound design and engineering by Alan Goffinski. Original music composed by Jeromy Thomas and Ashley Jackson. Special thanks to The Met archives.This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
Mozart's “The Abduction from the Seraglio” was first heard in Vienna in 1782, commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II to cater to the German-speaking audience of the capital city. Joseph II and Mozart had more in common than just their native tongue. Joseph II championed liberal ideas, equality, and religious freedom, while some experts interpret Mozart's operas as striving to be liberatory. But 1780s Europe was financially entwined with human trafficking, and the ideals of enlightenment and freedom didn't apply to every human. In “Abduction,” those real-world restrictions — and the ramifications they have for Mozart's characters — are on full display. This week on Every Voice with Terrance McKnight: In “Abduction from the Seraglio,” Pasha Selim subjects both European women and men of African descent to servitude within his haram. But their dramatic treatment — which characters get to enjoy escape and victory, and which characters do not — tend to uphold stereotypes of race, class and sex. We hear from the voices of Jennifer Welch Babige as Konstanze and Blonde, Sir Willard White as Osmin, and Nathan Stark as Pasha Selim. This episode is written, hosted and produced by Terrance McKnight with support from David Norville. The Executive Producer is Tony Phillips. The Executive Producer for WQXR Podcasts is Elizabeth Nonemaker. Our research team includes Ariel Elizabeth Davis, Pranathi Diwakar, Ian George, and Jasmine Ogiste. Sound design and engineering by Sapir Rosenblatt Original music composed by Jeromy Thomas and Ashley Jackson. Special thanks to the Livermore Valley Opera and the Metropolitan Opera for the use of their performances of “Abduction from the Seraglio.” This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.A transcript of this episode is available on our website: everyvoicepodcast.org
At the heart of Verdi's opera “Aida” is an African love story, where an Egyptian general and an Ethiopian princess fall in love. It premiered in Cairo in 1871, but the truth is, very few Africans went to see it, let alone could afford the price of a ticket. This was a European conception of the East, for European audiences at a time when Egypt's leadership was attempting to make Egypt ‘the Paris of the East.' Verdi's “Aida” often portrays Egyptians as white and free and Ethiopians and black and enslaved, reinforcing colonial stereotypes and colorism, still present in many modern day productions. Verdi's “Aida” opera painted a picture of Africa for colonial consumption, and subjected its Egypt and Ethiopian characters to stereotypes and colorism that run rampant through even modern productions. In this episode of Every Voice with Terrance Mcknight: Joined by bass baritone Sir Willard White as the King of Egypt, soprano Angela Brown as Aida, and mezzo soprano Raehann Bryce Davis as Amneris; we hear from “Aida's” African characters in their own voices. This episode is hosted by Terrance McKnight. The Executive Producer is Tony Phillips. The Executive Producer for WQXR Podcasts is Elizabeth Nonemaker. Our research team includes Ariel Elizabeth Davis, Pranathi Diwakar, Ian George, and Jasmine Ogiste. Sound design and engineering by Alan Goffinski. Original music composed by Jeromy Thomas and Ashley Jackson. Special thanks to The Met archives.This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
A stellar example of a Jamaican who has navigated some unusual and exciting international spaces, my guest for ep. 22 of #MikesMomentOf is The Hon. Sir Willard White. A Jamaican-born British operatic bass baritone. #UKOpera ##BassBaritone #AgeAnimo https://www.michaelseanharris.com/podcast Sir Willard Wentworth White, world renowned bass-baritone, was born on October 10, 1946, in Ewarton, Jamaica. Willard White, a graduate of Excelsior High School in Kingston and founding member of the Jamaican Folk Singers, commenced formal musical training at the Jamaica School of Music and continued his studies at The Julliard School in New York where he received several scholarships during his studies at the conservatory. He made his professional operatic debut with New York City Opera, where he played the character of Colline in La Bohème in 1974. His European debut was with Welsh National Opera in Cardiff, Wales, where he played Osmin in Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio. He has since gone on to perform in the world's major opera houses, and his powerful voice and commanding stage presence have made him a popular and admired singer across a wide range of musical styles. White is best known for performing as Mephistopheles in The Damnation of Faust, a role he has played many times. Besides his traditional classical repertoire, he is celebrated for his performances as Porgy in Porgy and Bess. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to classical music, Sir Willard has received several awards during his career: In 1995, he was awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) and the Gold Musgrave Medal by the Institute of Jamaica. He was presented with the Order of Merit (OM) in 2000 by the Government of Jamaica. Sir Willard was knighted in the Birthday Honours of Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. in 2015 Sir Willard White received the National Chorale of Jamaica Medal of Excellence. Bio from: https://www.musicunitesjamaica.com Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willard_White A day in the life of Sir Willard White https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-lJEjmqyG0
In this episode of The Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast, lecturer and music librarian Tanisha Mitchell talks about singers of the past and present who broke barriers, paved the way, and continue to carry the torch in "The Enduring Legacy of Black Singers in Opera.” In this first part of the series, Tanisha focuses on male singers spanning the 19th, 20th, and 21st century, including George Shirley, Robert McFerrin, Vinson Cole, Simon Estes, Sir Willard White, Derek Lee Ragin, Eric Owens, Morris Robinson, Russell Thomas, and many more!
Join best-loved British Bass-baritone Sir Willard White as he shares highlights and anecdotes from his illustrious career. Hosted by Martyn Brabbins, ENO Music Director. Please note three performances been removed from this recording. "An Evening with..." is one of a number of events available exclusively to ENO Friends. To find out more about ENO Friends events, please visit www.eno.org/eno-supporters-events.
Sir Willard White is an opera singer with a story to tell: from Jamaica, to the Juilliard School, to a knighthood, and beyond. He is as commanding a speaker as he is a singer. With Jay, he talks about his growing up, the decision to sing, the sting of racism, and much more. He even does a little singing — including “Love Me Tender” and “Smile.”... Source
Picks from across the week on In Tune, including Sir Willard White and Charles Hazlewood.
EPISODE 3: ATLANTIS World-renowned opera singer Sir Willard White has an ingenious plan to solve the boys' money woes. They must travel to the lost city of Atlantis in pursuit of a legendary precious metal. Guest stars: Sir Willard White, Will Seaward & Celeste Dring. * Award-winning sketch trio Daphne present more peculiar characters, wacky scenarios, dodgy remarks and curious observations in the second series of DAPHNE SOUNDS EXPENSIVE. Written by and starring JASON FORBES, GEORGE FOURACRES & PHIL WANG.
EPISODE 2: TIME TRAVEL After Phil blows a fortune on a spanking new time machine, the Daphne boys must use it to embark on a treacherous adventure in a desperate attempt to recoup their losses. Guest stars: Sir Willard White, Elizabeth Tan & Lewis MacLeod. * Award-winning sketch trio Daphne present more peculiar characters, wacky scenarios, dodgy remarks and curious observations in the second series of DAPHNE SOUNDS EXPENSIVE. Written by and starring JASON FORBES, GEORGE FOURACRES & PHIL WANG.
EPISODE 1: BLACK COUNTRY The Daphne boys host a charity gala night in George's native Wolverhampton, where guests include award-winning author Caitlin Moran. All seems to be going swimmingly before George makes a shocking confession. Guest stars: Sir Willard White, Jack Kirwan, Celeste Dring & Caitlin Moran. * Award-winning sketch trio Daphne present more peculiar characters, wacky scenarios, dodgy remarks and curious observations in the second series of DAPHNE SOUNDS EXPENSIVE. Written by and starring JASON FORBES, GEORGE FOURACRES & PHIL WANG.
In Tune's weekly podcast featuring guests from Radio 3's residency at the Southbank Centre: BBC Director General Tony Hall, American composer Steve Reich, ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, jazz duo Claire Martin and Joe Stilgoe, violinist Nicola Benedetti, BBC Young Musician 2016 Sheku Kanneh-Mason and bass Sir Willard White.
EPISODE 1: MALAYSIA The gang heads off to Malaysia to find Phil's legendary criminal uncle, Pak Belang. Guest stars: Sir Willard White, David Elms & Emma Sidi. * Award-winning sketch trio Daphne present peculiar characters, wacky scenarios, dodgy remarks and curious observations in DAPHNE SOUNDS EXPENSIVE. Written by and starring JASON FORBES, GEORGE FOURACRES & PHIL WANG.
The Brodsky Quartet and Sir Willard White talk to Suzy Klein about their upcoming concert at Kings Place.
This week Libby Purves is joined by Warwick Davis, Sheena Byrom, Sir Willard White and Sierra James. Warwick Davis is the actor who made his movie debut aged eleven as Wicket the Ewok in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and played Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter films. He is currently starring in the new BBC observational comedy 'Life's Too Short ', written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, which follows Warwick's day-to-day frustrations of being short. Sheena Byrom has spent the last thirty-five years as a midwife. In her book, 'Catching Babies' she recounts her long career in the NHS, from training in the 1970s to overseeing the first home water birth in her area of Lancashire. 'Catching Babies' is published by Headline. Bass-baritone Sir Willard White is performing "Christus" in three productions of Bach's St Matthew Passion at Ambika P3, a disused concrete factory under London's Marylebone Road. This is the first major project of 'Vocal Futures', a charitable foundation launched to inspire a new generation of classical music followers. Sierra James is the American founder of Ba Futuru, a grassroots charity in Timor Leste which works with thousands of children, as well as local police and teachers, helping them with conflict resolution through art and other creative therapies in this strife-torn country. She is in London to receive an award from the STARS Foundation. Producer: Lucinda Montefiore.