Opera great Grace Bumbry to receive 2009 Kennedy Center Honor
The list of Kennedy Center Honors for 2009 is slanted toward the pop culture fields -- Mel Brooks (movies, Broadway), Dave Brubeck (jazz), Bruce Springsteen (rock), Robert de Niro (movies). But holding up the classical side with great distinction will be soprano Grace Bumbry, an artist who generated quite a lot of electricity in the heyday of her operatic career, which was really two careers -- initially a mezzo, she made a successful transition to soprano.
Bumbry helped break down barriers against vocal artists of colors; she was the first black singer to perform at the Bayreuth Festival, in 1961. Her versatility in repertoire, her musicianship and potent personality proved to be a dynamic combination that earned her a hearty fan base. Bumbry has long worn the mantle of "diva" with ease, style and (no pun intended) grace. Excellent choice, Kennedy Center Honors nominating folks.
Here's a sample of Bumbry's talent,
singing one of the beloved anthems of divahood, "Io son l´umile ancella," from Cilea's "Adriana Lecouvreur." (Translation: "I am the humble servant of the creative genius.") The sync between audio and video may not be perfect in this clip, but the singing is divine.
Comments
What a terrific choice. Bumbry had a glorious instrument and an important, lengthy international career. In this video, she nails this aria like it's the easiest thing in the world. A well deserved honor for a very talented singer!
Glad you liked it. I confess I had never heard her sing that aria, and this clip impressed me greatly. You'd never know from those lovely top notes that she was ever a mezzo. And what gorgeous phrasing. TIM
Posted by: doktorlehar | September 9, 2009 2:11 PM
Congratulations on the selection of a great "Diva".
Posted by: Foy Jackson | September 9, 2009 2:24 PM
Brubeck? Pop culture??
Love your stuff, but I think he goes beyond pop!
Keep up the good work...we often mine your stories for my show.
I guess I did get a little careless there, but, hey, if you divide the world into pop and classical, he'd be pop. (I'm setting aside his oratorios, which, I suspect, played little role in his selection for this award.)
Posted by: Michael | September 9, 2009 5:42 PM
When will they get around to honoring Barbara Cook?? She has done so much for Musical Theater,for keepimg alive the great standards, always with glorious interpretations, and above all, for The Kennedy Center.
Time is getting short, nominators, get on the ball!
Amen. TIM
Posted by: Lynne Ann Barden | September 9, 2009 6:35 PM
The Kennedy Center Honors try to hit all the arts, at least in principle, so there's no sense of "sidelining" for classical in this context. Great choice of Ms. Bumbry here, no doubt.
It's too bad in past years that they didn't get to honoring Tito Puente in time, for one. I'm glad they got to Dave Brubeck by now, as I'd have thought he'd have gotten it earlier.
Posted by: Geo. | September 10, 2009 10:32 AM
She is one of the greatest operatic stars of her time. I discovered her a few decades back in Glasgow Royal Theater. Feeling with grace(pun on her name) and projection with great vocal holding skills.
Posted by: Errol D. Alexander | September 12, 2009 2:28 PM
Watching her mini-expose alongside Bruce Springsteen, Mel Brooks, and Dave Brubeck (presented by Herbie Hancock) was inspiring. I had never heard of her before. Her tone is heaven-sent. It immediately made me think, I am going to listen more to this goddess. :)
Posted by: jpeek345 | October 18, 2010 7:42 AM