Opera Ebony's Heritage Weekend to Debut Master Class THE ART OF THE SPIRITUAL and More, 2/9-10

Opera Ebony, the longest running African - American Opera Company in the United States, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a special celebration weekend with 2 events. The Art of The Spiritual, - a master class to be taught by Florence Quivar, mezzo-soprano, a prominent Opera singer known for her warm, and rich voice, will be taught on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 4PM at Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (Chapel - 263 West 86th Street New York, NY 10024), Admission is $10 (mail payments to: Opera Ebony Guild, 305 West 90th Street, Suite G, New York, NY 10024). This master class, right in time for Black History Month, will teach the history of the Negro spiritual from the shores of Africa to present day, as well as showcase 6 young singers on the interpretation, style and performance practice of the spiritual.

The celebratory weekend will continue with a Heritage Concert on Sunday, February 10 at 4PM at Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (in Main Sanctuary - 263 West 86th Street New York, NY 10024). The concert will feature Soprano Janinah Burnet, who is currently performing in La Rondine with the Metropolitan Opera and will be heard with the MET later this season in Parsifal. Ms. Burnett appears courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera.

The Heritage Concert will also include performances by: Janinah Burnett, Soprano, Karen Parks, Soprano, Patrick Dailey, Counter-tenor, K'idar Miller, Tenor, Anthony Turner, Baritone and Davone Tines, Bass-baritone. Each songstress will perform a group of Spirituals and art songs by African American composers. Music Director, Wayne Sanders and Associate Music Director, James Davis (The Abyssinian Baptist Church) will share accompanying responsibilities at the piano. General Admission is $25. For more information and tickets visit: www.etix.com.

Gregory Sheppard, General Manager of Opera Ebony states, "The Art Song literature of African American composers is some of the most beautiful classical music literature written. Works of composers Uzee Brown, Betty Jackson King, Leslie Adams and others will be represented during the rich performance." Sheppard adds, "How fitting to celebrate these composers, the art of the Spiritual and more during this Black History Month and in our 40th Season - we are proud to continue this rich legacy."

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.

Opera Ebony's Heritage Weekend begins on Saturday, February 9, 2013 with The Art of The Spiritual, taught by Florence Quivar at the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (In the chapel), 263 West 86th Street, New York, NY. Tickets: General Admission is $10. For more information call: 646.275.6349.

Sunday, February 10, 2013
Heritage Concert

Featuring:
• Janinah Burnett, (Soprano)
• Karen Parks, Soprano
• Patrick Dailey, Counter-tenor
• K'idar Miller, Tenor
• Anthony Turner, Baritone
• Davone Tines, Bass-baritone
• Music Director - Wayne Sanders
• Associate Music Director- James Davis (The Abyssinian Baptist Church)
• General Manager - Gregory Sheppard

Tickets: General Admission is $25; Students $15 (with a valid ID). To purchase tickets visit: www.etix.com. Call: 646.275.6349.

Tickets are also available by mail:
Opera Ebony
P.O. Box 230760
New York, NY 10023
Call: 646.275.6349

The concert also takes place at the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew (Main Sanctuary).