Paul Laurence Dunbar News

Redhouse Arts Center continues its 2022 portion of the season and will feature the previously much anticipated play, August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize winning American masterpiece, Fences.

The San Francisco Opera Chorus will command the spotlight in the intimate Dianne and Tad Taube Atrium Theater for San Francisco Opera Chorus In Concert: Celebrating Ian Robertson on Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 12 at 2 pm.

Bryce Davis and Cilliers opened their recital program with Richard Strauss' and John Henry Mackay's uplifting 'Heimliche Aufforderung' ('The Secret Invitation'). This joyous, celebratory composition was the composer's gift to his bride on their wedding day. Bryce-Davis sang it with exquisite vocal colors. Next was Robert Schumann 'Die Lotosblume' ('The Lotus Flower') in which the poet Heinrich Heine described the beauty of the love between the flower and the moon. Bryce-Davis showed the lyric tones of her voice as she told of this delicate love.

Black and Unknown Bards, a one-woman performance curated and presented by Aneesa Neibauer weaves together the poetry of America's most celebrated and most unsung Black authors.

Twainfest will take place on Saturday, August 21st from 11am - 6pm. This year, Write Out Loud's Twainfest takes place in the brand new location of Heritage County Park.

On Saturday 10th July, Chineke! Orchestra presents its second Royal Festival Hall concert as part of Southbank Centre's Summer Reunion series. Conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren, it features two symphonies by African-American composers and the debut of an exciting emerging pianist on the classical music scene.

Amazon offers its support for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the music and arts community with a sponsorship of Merola Opera Program's What the Heart Desires recital featuring works by women and people of color, as well as two master classes by world renowned artists.

San Francisco's acclaimed Merola Opera Program, one of the most prestigious and selective opera training programs in the world, commences its 64th season with a showcase of some of the program's rising stars titled What the Heart Desires.

The New York Choral Society is celebrating their virtual Spring season on a high note on May 11, 2021 with a Gala of special musical  guests and the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s Invitation to Love.

Los Angeles Opera’s digital short film, Death, is Nadia Hallgren’s nine-minute creative take on Paul Laurence Dunbar’s turn-of-the 20th century poem, entitled Death. Two crows in seemingly choreographed flight introduce scenes with myriad black birds circling the edge of a leafless forest.

LA Opera's newest digital short film, Death, unites the striking visuals of celebrated filmmaker Nadia Hallgren, the Emmy-nominated director of the Michelle Obama documentary Becoming, with the intriguing harmonies of composer Tyshawn Sorey, a recipient of the MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship.

LA Opera's newest Digital Short is now online: Death, created by composer Tyshawn Sorey, a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship ('Genius Grant'), and filmmaker Nadia Hallgren, the Emmy-nominated director of the Michelle Obama documentary Becoming. 

Today (February 19) in live streaming: Santino Fontana visits Backstage Live, Andréa Burns hosts game night on Stars in the House, and more!

Theatre would not be theatre without the efforts of Black artists, and it’s important to learn about their impact on the industry. In honor of Black History Month, here is a timeline of theatre milestones achieved by Black professionals. 

Today, baritone Will Liverman has released Dreams of a New Day: Songs by Black Composers with pianist Paul Sánchez on Cedille Records. Liverman says, “Right now, it is more important than ever to celebrate the contributions of Black composers, and I’m honored to give voice to the art songs on this album.'

Beginning February 19, LA Opera presents the online world premiere of Death, a new Digital Short showcasing the music of one of the most celebrated composers of our time, Tyshawn Sorey.

Washington National Cathedral, leading choral publisher Walton Music and Grammy-winning, British vocal ensemble The King's Singers announce the 4 winning composers of their inaugural New Music Prize (for the US and Canada), as well as 4 honorable mentions and 11 commended compositions out of the staggering 347 submitted. 

Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago is continuing the celebration of its tenth anniversary season with winter and spring offerings that include three recitals as part of the Lieder Lounge series, and the final installment of a Polish song workshop.

On Friday, February 12, 2021, baritone Will Liverman releases Dreams of a New Day: Songs by Black Composers with pianist Paul Sánchez on Cedille Records.

Audiences loved this year’s Virtual POEFEST! Based on input from patrons – Write Out Loud has made the filmed stories accessible again through December 6th. Current tickets holders may rewatch their favorite programs – or catch the ones they missed.