And So I Sing: African American Divas Of Opera and Concert [Paperback]

Rosalyn M. Story (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 11, 2000

Black women bring a host of influences and ideologies with them to opera -- as well as their spirituality, their strengths and passions. The exclusion of blacks from opera for so many generations impoverished both the artists and the artistic world from which they were barred. Imagine if Leontyne Price had been born 50 years earlier, during a time when she would not have been allowed on an American opera stage. This book not only supplies portraits of the greatest artists for future generations of students of black art and culture, but also rescues from history's shadows the lost legacies of geniuses born too soon. Photos.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This well-planned, carefully researched, and smoothly written book covers a group of performers generally neglected in print, going back to Elizabeth Taylor-Greenfield, born in 1820. In early cases biography is culled from skimpy sources and framed by the racial and cultural contexts of the times, with flashes of fascinating illumination for us today. For much of the book Story has varied the length and format of each singer's history, but sections in the second half contain rows of short vignettes that tend to a lock-step sameness in style. Chapters and discussions on the role of black churches, black voice quality, ethnicity in opera, and the influence of the Harlem renaissance add valuable background. Recommended for music libraries and music collections in school and general libraries.
- Philippa Kiraly, Cleveland
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (February 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567430112
• ISBN-13: 978-1567430110
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,051,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all singers!, February 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: And So I Sing: African American Divas Of Opera and Concert (Paperback)

This is a great book that tells the story of the African - American experience in the world of opera. There is so little on this particular subject as it is and I thought the author did a beautiful job telling the story! As an African - American woman I felt proud to read the about the lives of some really wonderful singers. I hope this prompts more research on this topic!