Showcase of Black and South Asian opera singers
THE Black British Classical Foundation (BBCF) hosted
Sing into Spring, an Operatic Gala at Birmingham’s St Philip’s Cathedral.
The gala, hosted by Classic FM presenter Margherita Taylor, shone a spotlight on the rising stars of opera from Black and South Asian communities. Performers mezzo-soprano Julia Daramy-Williams, soprano Natasha Agarwal, tenor Thando Mjandana and baritone Chuma Sijeqa showcased their talents. They were accompanied by musical director Beatrice
Nicholas on the piano.
The programme included songs from well-known operas such as Carmen, as well as a unique ‘Mother Tongue’ section that allowed the singers to perform pieces from their homelands of South Africa, Senegal and India.
Other notable attendees included West Midlands Mayor Andy Street; BBC head of religion & ethics Tim Pemberton; BBC WM’s Nikki Tapper and Natalie Graham; pop singer Jaki Graham; chair of B:Music Anita Bhalla OBE, and Satnam Rana-Grindley of GBSLEP.
BBCF artistic director Vincent Osborne gave an impassioned speech sharing the charity’s aims and asking for guests’ support in achieving them. He said: “Lend your hand so together we can hold the vision for change. Lend your hand, so we can high-five each other when the stage of British opera is as diverse and as colourful as Aston Villa.”
BBCF will be hosting another event on July 4 to celebrate US Independence with music centred around the Black American Song Book, from opera to Broadway, spirituals to jazz.
The concert will be held at Birmingham Cathedral, followed by a gala dinner and auction at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham.