Program

HARLEM OPERA THEATER Tribute to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

PROGRAM Welcome and Introductions Gregory Hopkins, Artistic Director Master of Ceremonies ARTISTS Manna KnJoi, Soprano Daveda Browne, Mezzo Soprano Charles Williamson, Tenor Markel Reed, Baritone Gregory Hopkins, Artistic Director, piano

Drake's Drum

Mr. Williamson, Tenor and Mr. Reed, Baritone

Sweet evenings come and go, love

Ms. Browne, Mezzo Soprano The Violet Bank Ms. KnJoi, Soprano

PROGRAM (Continued)

My Love Mr. Williamson, Tenor Oh, Roses for the blush of youth Ms. Browne, Mezzo Soprano Life and Death Mr. Reed, Baritone Oh! my lonely, lonely pillow Ms. KnJoi, Soprano You lay so still in the Sunshine Mr. Reed, Baritone Too late for love Ms. Browne, Mezzo Soprano Onaway! Awake, beloved (Hiawatha's wedding feast) Mr. Williamson, Tenor This is the island of gardens Ms. KnJoi, Soprano The Shoshone's Adieu Mr. Reed, Baritone Candle Lightin' time (Paul Lawrence Dunbar) Ms. Browne, Mezzo Soprano

Edymion's Dream

Ms. Knjoi, Soprano and Mr. Williamson, Tenor

CLOSING REMARKS

GREGORY HOPKINS, Artistic Director Gregory Hopkins was born and reared in Philadelphia, PA. He received his advanced education in voice from Temple University, and in opera from Curtis Institute of Music. Hopkins has won prizes in competitions including: The Verdi Prize in Busetto, Italy; Outstanding Tenor Award, Mantova, Italy; The Dealy Award and The Opera Index Grant. As a singer, pianist, organist, choral conductor, teacher and clinician, Hopkins has traveled throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and The Middle East, with recent performances including The Cervantes and Pitic Festivals (Mexico); Orvieto, Rome and Umbria Festivals (Italy); Vienne Festival (France) and Vitoria-Gasteiz Festival (Spain). Additional performances included Mozarteum (San Juan, Argentina); Teatro Mayor (Bogota, Columbia); Sodre (Montevideo, Uruguay); Pro Arte (Cordoba, Argentina). His Harlem Jubilee singers recently completed a tour of Chile with the Concepcion Symphony performing Porgy and Bess. He also conducted performances of Gershwin’s “Blue Monday”, Britten’s “The Burning Fiery Furnace” with Harlem Opera Theater and HL Freeman’s opera “Voodoo”. Earlier this year saw concerts in Argentina and Japan. Recently Hopkins has been contracted to provide and prepare singers for Martina Arroyo’s “Prelude to a Performance” and Alvin Ailey’s “Revelation” Celebration at Lincoln Center.

GREGORY HOPKINS, Artistic Director

Hopkins has served The National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses as Director of Performance Ministries; The Hampton University Minister's Conference as Recital Co-Coordinator; and Gospel Music Workshop of America as Assistant Music Director to the Men's Department. He has been honored three times to prepare and present musicals for the National Baptist Convention, and was musical director for the NAACP's Centennial Celebration. At Arkansas Baptist College's EC Morris Institute and Ithaca College he has been Choral Clinician. For the Million Man March he was selected by Minister Farrakhan to sing immediately following the address. Equally occupied as an educator, he has served on the faculties of: Community College of Philadelphia; Morgan State University; Westminster Choir College and NY Seminary of the East. Currently, he is Coordinator of Classical Voice and Operatic Activities at Howard University DC. For more than one-third of a century he has been Minister of Music for Harlem's Convent Avenue Baptist Church. He is also Artistic Director for Harlem Opera Theater, Music Director for the Harlem Jubilee Singers and Cocolo Japanese Gospel Choir. He is a featured artist on more than 6 commercially released CD projects; one of which was nominated for a Grammy.

GREGORY HOPKINS, Artistic Director