Among the milestones George Shirley’s barrier-breaking career are three standouts, among many. He was the first Black singer in the U.S. Army Chorus. He First Black tenor to have a contract with the Metropolitan Opera (1961). He was awarded the National Medal if the Arts by President Barack Obama in 2015.
Former New York Times Music Critic and author, Joseph Horowitz, interviews Mr. Shirley about his extraordinary life, presents video recordings of his legendary performances, and accompanies Mr. Shirley live on the piano.
This event is free, but registration is required.
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George Shirley: A Life in Music
You won’t want to miss hearing Opera and Chamber Music living history live, when author and former New York Times Music Critic Joseph Horowitz interviews Grammy winner, National Medal of Arts recipient, and Opera America Hall of Fame member, George Shirley, 88, about his extraordinary life and barrier-breaking career.
The first Black singer in the U.S. Army chorus and 1961 Metropolitan Opera National Auditions winner, Mr. Shirley is the first Black tenor to have a contract at the Met, where he sang for over a decade, launching his international career.
You will hear live vocal performances by Mr. Shirley—who performs nationally and teaches at the University of Michigan where he is former head of the vocal department—with Mr. Horowitz at the piano. Historic audio and video recordings also will be included, followed by audience Q+A.
A Unique Cincinnati Music Collaboration
This program is part of a week-long celebration of Mr. Shirley’s life and career, the first ever collaboration by Chamber Music Cincinnati, Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music.
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A world-renowned performer of more than 80 operatic roles—in many cases the first Black artist to do so—Mr. Shirley appeared opposite opera’s greatest divas, including Martina Arroyo, Teresa Berganza, Monserrat Caballé. Grace Bumbry, Mirella Freni, Anna Moffo, Roberta Peters, Leontyne Price, Renata Scotto, Theresa Stich-Randall, Joan Sutherland, Renata Tebaldi, and Shirley Verrett in the world’s great opera houses. He also performs art songs and spirituals.
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A New York Times music critic before becoming executive director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, today Mr. Horowitz is the author of 11 books, mostly on music, a concert producer, and a cultural historian. He has been a pioneering force in the development of thematic programming and new concert formats.
Mr. Horowitz has taught at the Eastman School, the Manhattan School of Music, the Mannes College of Music, the New England Conservatory, and the Institute for Studies in American Music at Brooklyn College, among others. He is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Guggenheim Foundation, Columbia University, and New York University, as well as a Certificate of Appreciation from the Czech Parliament.”