An Opera Revolution

Angela Bassett, Julieanna Richardson, and Denyce Graves.

Iconic operatic mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves is someone whom I wish I had heard of earlier in my life. Born in Washington, D.C., Graves is one of the most iconic singers of her generation. In her interview with Angela Bassett, Graves speaks about her relationship with her parents, her education, and her career. Denyce Graves grew up in a single parent household; her mother encouraged her to further her talent by singing in church. Graves was accepted into art school, where she discovered Leontyne Price, who solidified her decision to study operatic singing. Graves went on to receive a scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory, and she trained there prior to studying at the New England Conservatory. Her career got off to an eventful start; through a number of health challenges and the birth of her child, Graves found her position in opera and has become one of the most renowned opera singers in the world.

Denyce Graves performing on stage.

Learning about Denyce Graves led me to think about representation for Black women in the media. There are a plethora of influential Black women in entertainment and music. However, singers with class and skill like Denyce Graves rarely take the forefront. Graves speaks about how there is increasing representation for Black singers, especially men, in opera. However, I wonder about what representation could look like for Black women throughout the music industry. There should be more Black women in genres which have historically been considered non-Black. Through increased representation, the music industry can become more and more diverse and inclusive for everyone involved.