“Seattle Opera may have the country’s only opera scholar in residence, helping make the art form more diverse and relevant,” writes Gemma Alexander in Wednesday’s (2/12) Seattle Times. André “is a musicologist with special expertise in the works of composer Giuseppe Verdi.… Her most recent book, ‘Black Opera: History, Power, Engagement,’ … examined African American and Black South African participation in opera…. André advises [the Seattle Opera] on issues of race and equity…. Her most visible role involves [moderating] a series of free, public community conversations [such as the sold-out Feb. 13] Black Representation in the Arts community conversation at the Seattle Opera Center with speakers [including] Bridgette Wimberly, librettist of ‘Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,’ which Seattle Opera is performing Feb. 22–March 7…. The city of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative … also maintains its own interdepartmental racial-equity team, which now includes André.… In the fall, Seattle Opera is partnering with Seattle Symphony and Pacific Northwest Ballet to launch a fellowship for arts administrators of color.” Says André, “I’d like to see a more diverse audience. I want to see operas with people of color on the stage, behind the stage and in administrative areas.”
Seattle Opera’s Naomi André, expanding diversity efforts in city’s arts community
Posted on: February 18, 2020