Hartt Student Nelson Ebo To Perform At Human Rights Day 2010, 12/10

Hartt student Nelson Ebo, tenor, who studies with Hartt faculty member Wayne Rivera, has been invited by the Office of the United Nations to perform during a special event as part of Human Rights Day 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 10. Organizers, who had heard Nelson sing in the past and were impressed with his talent, thought his compelling personal story perfectly illustrated the main theme of this year's event, which will be hosted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and attended by members of the international diplomatic community, authorities of the city of Geneva, human rights organizations and other UN officials. This year's Human Rights Day will focus on and recognize "human rights defenders who act to end discrimination". For more information about Human Rights Day 2010 and ongoing UN human rights efforts, visit www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/HRDay2010.aspx.

Nelson Ebo is a young Angolan who has faced multiple deprivations since his childhood, but with his powerful tenor's voice and musical soul he has lifted himself out of poverty while inspiring all those who hear him. Born in Luanda during the Angolan civil war, Nelson struggled with his family to survive. At the age of 14, Nelson was first introduced to choral music in his local parish. His fascination with Opera began by chance when he heard a CD of opera luminaries and then taught himself to sing like them. Word of his talent spread as he began to sing in restaurants to supplement the family income. He made enough to pay for his primary education and to help ensure that his family had access to health care and better nutrition.

In 2001, the Office of the High Commissioner in Angola invited Nelson to sing at a human rights song context organized jointly with the Ministry of Justice. Impressed with his extraordinary talent, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) supported Nelson to pursue the study of music in Spain. While there, Nelson sang for Placido Domingo, who was very supportive and enthusiastic about the young tenor.

Nelson moved to the USA in 2009, where he is now a student of the Vocal Studies Division at The Hartt School of Music He continues to impress audiences and has won opera competitions in New York, New Hampshire and Hartford. As Nelson develops his career in Opera, he hopes that his successes will inspire other boys and girls from poor communities in Angola to pursue their dreams.

The international Human Rights Day is celebrated each year to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, 1948. According to the Human Rights Day web site, "Human rights defenders speak out against abuse and violations including discrimination, exclusion, oppression and violence. They advocate justice and seek to protect the victims of human rights violations. They demand accountability for perpetrators and transparency in government action. In so doing, they are often putting at risk their own safety, and that of their families.

Some human rights defenders are famous, but most are not. They are active in every part of the world, working alone and in groups, in local communities, in national politics and internationally.

Human Rights Day 2010 will highlight and promote the achievements of human rights defenders and it will again emphasize the primary role Governments must play in enabling and protecting their role. The Day is also intended to inspire a new generation of defenders to speak up and take action to end discrimination in all of its forms whenever and wherever it is manifested.

The story does not end after 10 December 2010. The focus on the work of human rights defenders will continue through all of 2011."

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded 90 years ago, Hartt has been an integral part of the University of Hartford since its charter merged the then Hartt School of Music, the Hartford Art School, and Hillyer College to create the University in 1957. 2010 marks Hartt's 90th year of providing world class performing arts education to students in Greater-Hartford and around the world. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information about The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

 

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