Legendary mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves recently retired from the stage after over 40yrs of performing. Here she is with “The Lord’s Prayer” (youtu.be/JnsO3BBMjA0?...) #RetroView #DenyceGraves #BlackHistoryMonth
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I have started to watch how retirements are done well. Last night I had the privilege of watching the poetic last performance of Denyce Graves as Maria in Porgy and Bess before snow fell over NYC. It was poetic. #opera #theMet #retirement #DenyceGraves @nytimes.com
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One of opera’s greatest treasures and DC’s own, Denyce Graves, mezzo soprano is retiring from the operatic stage and I’m ELATED I get to witness her penultimate operatic performance next month at the Metropolitan Opera. #denycegraves #opera #blackexcellence
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African American singer (mezzo-soprano) Denyce Graves is an internationally acclaimed opera superstar. An elegant stage personality, she combines rich vocalism with exciting theatricality. Graves made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1995 as Carmen, which, along with Dalila in "Samson et Dalila," remains one of her signature roles. She has also established herself as a highly sought-after recitalist, and her “Cathedral Christmas” concert for PBS has been a holiday mainstay since 1997. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Graves sang in the National Prayer Service held in the Washington National Cathedral. She is on the voice faculty of the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. In this painting, American artist Nelson Shanks pictured Graves in performance, with Marc Mostovoy, the former artistic director of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, as her accompanist. In an interview, Graves spoke of posing for Shanks: “Sometimes it felt like a dance. I could actually feel where he was on my face—my mouth or my eyes.” It is a realistic portrayal of a performance scene in a small concert hall. The central figure is Graves with dark brown hair styled in a sophisticated updo. She is wearing a striking, floor-length red gown with a halter neck and intricate detailing on the bodice, suggesting a luxurious fabric. The dress has a flowing, slightly gathered skirt, creating soft folds and drapes that add to its elegance, hinting at movement and the passion of her performance. Her expression is intense, her eyes slightly widened and her mouth slightly open, conveying a powerful emotion as if completely lost in her song. Her hands are partially extended, gesturing with the music. Behind her, partially obscured by the woman, sits Mostovoy at a grand piano. He appears older, with thinning light greying hair and is wearing dark suit. He's looking down at the keys, with a focused expression. He is less prominently featured, which draws our focus to Graves.
"The Recital" (Denyce Graves) by Nelson Shanks (American) - Oil on canvas / 1999 - National Portrait Gallery (Washington DC) #WomenInArt #Smithsonian #NPG #art #artText #PortraitofaWoman #NationalPortraitGallery #AmericanArt #DenyceGraves #NelsonShanks #AfricanAmerican #singer #opera #AmericanArtist
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World-renowned singer #DenyceGraves singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" @ #DorothyHeight funeral.
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World-renowned singer #DenyceGraves singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" @ #DorothyHeight funeral. http://bit.ly/9RjHzN
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