Vincent Osborne, CEO (Black British Classical Foundation). Photo courtesy queenofthecrop.co.uk
The grand finals will take place October 2013 in London. Each finalist will be given 15 minutes in which to present their own choice of repertoire. Their programme must have two elements, at least operatic aria, and one song by a Black or Asian composer, which can be sung in mother tongue and includes spirituals.We also work within the community in development of choirs and currently developing a programme to work within prisons where the choir will not just improve their voices, but also soft skills and self assuredness.
Elizabeth Llewellyn. Photo courtesy jamesedwardhughes.com
Our first outing of the competition Grace Bumbry the international opera diva, the conductor of the Welsh National Opera – Anthony Negus, Composer Philip Herbert and Julian Joseph whom I am sure you know were our judges. They chose Elizabeth Llewellyn as the winner who then went on to sing MiMi at the English National Opera to rave reviews.Peter Braithwaite won the Samuel Coleridge Taylor award and is now making a name for himself as a recording artist in the group “Amore”, Nadine Mortimer Smith won the Brixtonian Award which gave her coaching with the Welsh National Opera.
Our Patrons are Grace Bumbry, Baroness Howells and Lord Boateng.
In celebration of Black History Month 2012 The Voice Of Black Opera are pleased to announce the upcoming Operatic Gala of Arias, Songs and Spirituals on October 31st.
