Opera for Black Folks is an enriching channel led by a classically trained lyric coloratura soprano and content creator. Through her unique lens as a performing artist and Jamaican woman, she offers a captivating exploration of navigating a career in the classical arts.
This channel isn't just about opera; it's a cultural voyage. Discover the roots of opera, its evolution from the 16th century to today, and its profound cultural influences. Gain insight into where this beautiful art form began and how it has evolved over time.
As a classically trained opera singer, she doesn't just perform - she shares her weekly journey as an artist and solopreneur. Dive into her experiences, understand the challenges, and celebrate the triumphs of an artist dedicated to her craft.
Opera for Black Folks isn't just a channel; it's an odyssey through the world of opera, a celebration of diverse perspectives, and an inspiring testament to the power of passion and entrepreneurship in the arts.
So on top of a REALLY GREAT explanation, Cassandra has introduced (some of) us to Mr. Noah Stewart, whose beautiful rendition blew MY socks off! Thank you so much!! ❤
I’m crying! The RNC did use the aira, “Nessun Dorma”, at the end of the convention. Well…Opera is for everyone so, if they feel inclined to learn about something new, all are welcome regardless of political affiliation. This IS America, home of the brave and the land of the free. 🇺🇸
Magic Flute is always a tough sell for me. It has some magnificent music but the Libretto is an absolute train wreck. Not to mention absurdly and explicitly racist as well as misogynist. There is some vile, vile shit in here and german is my native language so I‘m condemned to understand all of it. You cut off Monostatos‘ Aria before that part, but he actually sings verbatim that „Everything is enjoying love‘s joys and I must avoid love because a black person is ugly!“ I feel gross just typing and translating. He goes then on to praise the beauty of white women, which enchants him. You could say, that is just him rationalizing her rejection, but still. (Did I mention that this Aria is nowadays quietly stricken from the Opera for the most part? No? Well, I have now) Best way for me is ignore anything plot related that does not directly involve the true hero of the story, my main man Papageno and support the person with the cooler Melodies and, I‘m sorry, but it‘s not even a contest. Queen of the Night is in the right. So, even though I don‘t like the Opera very much, I definitely enjoyed your video. You have now gained a new subscriber.
I’m with you on SO many levels! I had an entire rant about Monostatos aria but thought better to cut it in the final edit. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. 💛🎶
Nobody ever thought to explain this to us opera fans.🤔 I for one always wondered it's meaning. Tu da D'or is a great opera, I Love Nessuno Dorme, and thanks to you, I understand it now. I understand it in italian, but never saw the opera from beginning to end..💖💖
I thank for sharing..as a melonated person who has been loving and listening to opera for decades,it is really refreshing to have you be so considerate as to expose your world to us. Grazie mille.
Bravo! I thoroughly enjoyed this and applaud the three of your for this wonderful performance! I'm learning so much about opera from your RU-vid. My appreciation has widen with Opera for Black Folks.
This is an excellent channel my dear! So helpful! I remember in 8th grade, 1965, my English teacher, a handsome man, broke down a Shakespeare play for us by assigning us parts. I fell in love with Shakespeare's plays, just as you have helped me fall in love with understanding opera. Thank you, Love, PK
Fantastic! what you did in this video was amazing. I have often heard this Aria, loved it but knew nothing about it. Your breakdown was great. Even more your enthusiasm as you taught was infectious. I hope this is more than just a notion for you because you have a real talent for this. Culture expanded. Eternally grateful! Keep them coming!
We have to produce operatic events in the Caribbean...have interest in Bahamas and Jamaica. I produced classical concerts in Jamaica years ago with my friend, then Chair of Boston Chamber Music. Let's do it.
You do a wonderful job in translation, your love for the opera shows on your eyes. Thank you for your passion and teachings. You had me hanging on the edge of my seat!
Thank you for your feedback. I always seek improvement. It would be most helpful if you could offer the correct pronunciation using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
oops, tiny error in your video: "early 19th century opera"... it's actually an early 20th century opera ;-) 1917-1918 is quite certainly in the 20th century😀 My favourite of Il Trittico is Suor Angelica. Hopefully one day soon we'll have the pleasure of one of your highly instructive videos on that little masterpiece! It's like the 3rd act of an opera with no 1st and 2nd act. One interesting detail is that Gianni is the only "comedy" that Puccini wrote. No one technically dies in it, there is no "tragedy". Even the one dramatic "tragic" aria (O Mio Babbino Caro) is more of a petulant adolescent "if I don't get my way I'll hold my breath!" (Jumping from the Ponte Vecchio wouldn't be all that dramatic, it's about 6 feet off the water!)
OMG I love this channel! I am so glad I found it. (And I am happy to say I sang in the chorus of an opera featuring Noah Stewart, and I've also done lights for him)
Interestingly, Turandot the opera has a main titular character who doesn't actually sing a note until the 2nd act! The only opera that "goes one better" is Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Consul" (a sublime opera in its own right) where the titular character, despite driving the action, never even appears on stage nor sings a single note. 😆
These are GREAT tips, especially when it comes to prioritizing rest and re-filling during slow seasons. Artists often think the answer to a slow season is to speed up and 'hustle." Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Absolutely ADORE this opera! Have seen and listened to it hundreds if not thousands of Times and every Time it just resonates with Me so STRONGLY. The Music - the Story itself - and especially the intensity of the whole Thing keeps Me on edge like a great mystery. "The Kiss" and when Calaf speaks His Name "Love"...whew. For Me personally, it's all about a Proposal. And for Me Personally, I intend to take My Future Wife to a special performance of this VERY special Opera and Propose to Her after seeing for Herself the POWER that is in a GREAT Love Story. LOVE that the newer Generations and even some older ones are looking to Opera and the Power in its presentation really holds in a majestic way. Some things never grow old. They just get STRONGER...❤❤ GREAT EXPLANATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I consider both Sarastro and Queen of the Night as villains. Neither one is more right than the other. It’s just the 18th century mindset of, “A man is more dependable with power than a woman” which is why it historically was seen as more black and white. In my opinion though had Sarastro not had the power who’s to say he wouldn’t try to have killed the Queen of the Night for it?
The meta plot seems to be the old Castlevania 2 theme "The Morning Sun has Vanquished the Horrible Night." But my leanings have always been towards the Queen of the Night. Her husband gave away the Sevenfold Circle of the Sun to his high priest instead of to her, as it should have been. I mean, she IS still queen. I'm not quite sure what the monarchy's situation is in this fantasy land of Mozart's, but it's my opinion that was the first misstep. The second was the kidnapping of the Queen's daughter. Doesn't matter the intent. That's kidnapping royalty. That's a crime no matter who you are. Though, I do have to ask... The Queen and her handmaidens have battle prowess and magical powers... did Pamina get the short end of the stick in that regard? No magic? No ability to defend herself? Ultimately Papageno and the three boys are a distraction from true crime... Sarastro and priests taking what is rightfully the Queen's. Now, don't get me wrong, Monostatos is way in the wrong too... but both he and Pamina would have been spared their situations had the Queen of the Night been given her due when her husband passed. I mean... what husband passes and leaves their faithful wife powerless and at the mercy of chanting fools? I can only assume that things work differently in the world Mozart created for this opera and I can only go on what I know and feel. All hail the Queen of the Night.
