South Shore Opera Company

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A new opera company is emerging in Chicago, the South Shore Opera Company, which was created to give opportunities to African-American opera singers in Chicago. Their first performance will be on February 28, 2009 and will consist of a concert made up of scenes from Handel's Giulio Cesare, Verdi's Falstaff, Strauss' Die Fledermaus and selections by budding youth performers. Judging by the selections this is going to be a serious opera company.

"There were way too few opportunities for African-American opera singers in Chicago," executive director Marvin Lynn told the Chicago Tribune "African-American opera singers here are often passed over for artists from the East Coast or they tend to be restricted to performing in all-black casts."

As someone who has been told of tales of racism by some of our African-African singers, I believe companies like this are needed and wish South Shore the best of luck in these trying times.

-- Edward

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