Sharing the Inspiring Gift of Music with “An Evening with Denyce Graves”
Born on March 7, 1964, Denyce Antionette Graves is a legendary mezzo-soprano. The Washington DC native is the middle child of three children, born to a single mother in one of the toughest DC neighborhoods. However, Graves enjoyed a comfortable and loving childhood. She recounts her childhood saying, “I remember the smell of cooking...and the sound of laughter! Less mechanical sounds and more human noise.” Despite having an estranged relationship with her father, Graves credits him for giving her the gift of vocal talent.
This HistoryMakers interview was conducted by acting giant Angela Bassett. The two met at church and quickly became friends, introducing Bassett to opera.
It was this same talent that was noticed by her mother as a child. After singing in her Pentecostal church choir, Graves began to hone her talent at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. At age 14, Graves was inspired by Leontyne Price, the first African American soprano to garner international fame. . “We cut our classes the entire day to listen to her sing...It really felt like I had found my purpose and it absolutely did direct the whole of my life from that point on.”
Shortly after completing her secondary education, Graves attended the Oberlin conservatory and the New England Conservatory on scholarship. Following a brief vocal rest and a two year apprenticeship at the Houston Opera, Graves would soon assume the lead role in the opera classic, Carmen. She would then go on to receive the Marian Anderson award from Anderson herself and then a stint as Delilah in Suzanne’s Samson et Dalila
Graves as Carmen
Graves in Samson et Dalila
In addition to her historic career, Graves’ talent transcends the United States opera houses, with a long list of European and Latin American work. Her passion for education is evident, appearing in multiple skits for Sesame Street and recurring appearances on the literacy educational show Between the Lions.
At the time of the interview, Graves was starring as the titular character in Margeret Garner, an opera based on the Toni Morrison classic, Beloved. In 2001, Graves was called to sing for the 9/11 memorial service and became an American Ambassador of Music for the United States. Speaking of that experience Graves says, “It was a great, great honor and privilege… Not everybody likes us, that's for sure!... But I’m happy to sit down and speak with people … and try in one small way to extend the hand and to mend in some way...:” Naturally, Graves has also taught masterclasses to the next generation of opera singers.
Graves as Margret Garner
Graves singing the Lord’s Prayer for the 9/11 Memorial broadcast
Today, Graves is cemented as a mezzo soprano for the ages. Although her time in the world’s opera houses has seemingly come to an end, Graves continues to use her gift to inspire and comfort. Notably, Graves sang for the memorial of former Supreme Court justice and devoted opera fan, Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
