PRESS RELEASE - For immediate release
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On Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:30PM, acclaimed bass-baritone, Dr. Simon Estes is given an award by The Opera Company of Brooklyn during the intermission of Mozarts Don Giovanni at Studios 353 (353 West 48th Street, Manhattan; subway:1, 9, C, E, N, R, W). Tickets are $35 online at www.operabrooklyn.com. Space is limited; some tickets may be available at the door.
With congratulatory words from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Harolyn Blackwell, Montserrat Caballé, Elaine Malbin and more, The Opera Company of Brooklyn honors Simon Estes for his unending commitment to opera, youth, and humanitarian concerns.
New York, NY (April 19, 2009) Dr. Simon Estes, internationally acclaimed bass baritone, has sung at the world's major opera houses as well as in front of presidents, popes and internationally renowned figures and celebrities including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, Boris Yeltsin, Yasser Arafat, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. By the power of his individual artistry, Dr. Estes shares in the distinguished history of having broken down barriers. The examples that he has given to countless young artists are immeasurable. The Opera Company of Brooklyn, committed to the development of young singers and creation of new audiences, presents this award.
Dr. Estes is role model to many and one of the first famous African-American male opera singers. The grandson of a slave who was bought for $500, he was the first male African-American to sing a major role on stage of Wagners Bayreuth and was the original Porgy at the Metropolitan Operas premiere of Gershwins Porgy and Bess. Simon Estes has established the Simon Estes Educational Foundation, which has awarded over one million dollars in merit-based college scholarships. The Simon Estes International Foundation for Children has saved lives by providing support for child health needs in Switzerland and Bulgaria.
More recently, Estes turned his attention to the fight against HIV/AIDS, the now leading cause of death among African Americans. At the forefront of Artists for HIV/AIDS prevention and education, Estes leads a collective voice of artists, who through music and arts, seek to break down socio-economic barriers as well as the stigma associated with the disease.
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
Jay Meetze, founder and artistic director of the Opera Company of Brooklyn, will conduct, Judith Schaaf will assist on the piano. Special Guest Artist, Hope Briggs sings Donna Elvira with other talented guests and members of OCBs Resident Artist Program: Alonzo Murphy-Johnson, Michael Callas, Nils Neubert, Courtney Carey, Murat Cem Orhan, Mari-Yan Pringle and Jody Sheinbaum.
ABOUT OCB
The Opera Company of Brooklyn (OCB) was founded in 2000 to provide the communities of New York City with more affordable opportunities and accessibility to the arts. With its focus on the future of opera, OCB seeks to bring opera out of its traditional, formal institution and to the public at large. OCB has been innovative in finding unusual venues, from the intimacy of private apartments to rehearsal spaces to museums, as well as auditoriums around New York City. Each performance offers affordable prices to attract community members from various socio-economic backgrounds. OCB nurtures the burgeoning careers of young singersthe opera stars of tomorrowas it builds new audiences.
CAST LIST
Hope Briggs as Donna Elvira
Alonzo Murphy-Johnson as Commendatore
Michael Callas as Leporello
Nils Neubert as Don Ottavio
Courtney Carey as Masetto
Murat Cem Orhan as Don Giovanni
Mari-Yan Pringle as Donna Anna
Jody Sheinbaum as Zerlina
Judith Schaaf - Pianist
Jay Meetze - Conductor