Wikipedia

Denyce Graves

Denyce Graves(born March 7, 1964) is an Americanmezzo-sopranoopera singer.

Denyce Graves
Denyce Graves inBaltimore, Maryland,2013
Born(1964-03-07)March 7, 1964(age 60)
Washington, D.C.
United States
OccupationOpera singer (mezzo-soprano)
Years active1995–present
SpouseRobert Montgomery[1]
Parents
  • Charles Graves (father)
  • Dorothy Graves-Kenner (mother)

Early life

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Graves was born on March 7, 1964, inWashington, D.C.,to Charles Graves and Dorothy (Middleton) Graves-Kenner. She is the middle of three children and was raised by her mother on Galveston Street, S.W., in theBellevuesection of Washington.[2]She graduated from theDuke Ellington School of the Artsin 1981. Graves studied voice at theOberlin Conservatory of Musicand theNew England Conservatorywith Helen Hodam.[3]She worked at theWolf Trap Opera Company,which provides further training and experience for young singers who are between their academic training and full-time professional careers. Soon after, she was invited byDavid Gockleyto participate in the Houston Opera Studio, from 1988 to 1990, where she studied withElena Nikolaidi.

Career

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Portrait painted byBen Fortunado Marcune

She made her debut at theMetropolitan Operain 1995[2]and has appeared at many opera houses. Though her repertoire is extensive, her signature parts are the title roles inCarmenandSamson et Dalila.Graves also made many appearances on the children's television series,Between the Lions,where she used her talents to teach children sounds of words.[4]On January 20, 2005, she sang the patriotic song "American Anthem" during the 55th PresidentialInauguration,between the swearing-in ceremonies of Vice PresidentDick Cheneyand PresidentGeorge W. Bushfor their second terms in office.[5]

Graves sang "America the Beautiful"and"The Lord's Prayer"at theWashington National Cathedralduring amemorial service for the victims of 9/11on September 14, 2001, attended by President Bush, members of Congress, other politicians and representatives of foreign governments.[6]

In 2003, Graves performed in front of a live audience at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia for a television special,Denyce Graves: Breaking the Rules.In 2005, she hosted the radio showVoce di Donna(Voice of a Lady) on Vox!, the vocal classical music channel ofXM Satellite Radio,on which she interviewed various opera singers. Graves often was heard onThe Tony Kornheiser Showradio program with her rendition of the "Mailbag Theme".

In 2005, she sang the lead role in the world premiere ofMargaret Garner,an opera byRichard DanielpourandToni Morrison.[7]

Graves performing at the PBS National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C., 2009

In May 2010, Graves performed a concert with tenorLawrence Brownleein theUnited States Supreme Court Buildingfor the Supreme Court justices.[8]

On June 15, 2013, Graves sang in the world premiere ofTerence Blanchard's andMichael Cristofer's boxing opera,Championwith theOpera Theatre of Saint Louis.

In 2014, a recording ofWe Shall Overcomearranged by composerNolan Williams, Jr.and featuring Graves was among several works of art, including the poemA Brave and Startling TruthbyMaya Angelou,sent to space on the first test flight of the spacecraftOrion.[9]

Graves markedWomen's History Monthin 2003, with SenatorHillary Clinton,House Minority LeaderNancy Pelosi,and former vice presidential candidateGeraldine Ferraro.

On September 25, 2020, Graves sang at the US Capitol as her friendRuth Bader Ginsburg's casket was lying in state. Ginsburg was a devoted fan of opera.

On November 22, 2022, she sang the role of Sally in the stage premiere of Kevin Puts's operaThe Hoursat the Metropolitan Opera.[10]The performance of December 10 was video-cast as part of theMetropolitan Opera Live in HDseries.[11]

Recognition

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In 2017, Graves was honored by The Washington Performing Arts with the Ambassador of the Arts Award.[12]

In 2019, Graves received the Golden Plate Award of theAmerican Academy of Achievementpresented by Awards Council memberDr. Ben Carson.[13]

References

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  1. ^Herndon, Jessica (13 September 2009)."Opera singer Denyce Graves Weds Surgeon Robert Montgomery".PEOPLE.com.Archived fromthe originalon 14 March 2011.
  2. ^abTommasini, Anthony(October 14, 1995)."Denyce Graves, From the Choir toCarmen".The New York Times.RetrievedOctober 9,2009.
  3. ^Denyce Graves.Answers.com
  4. ^"Between the Lions (TV Series 1999– ) - IMDb"– via www.imdb.com.
  5. ^Baker, Peter; Fletcher, Michael A. (January 21, 2005)."Bush Pledges to Spread Freedom".The Washington Post.p. A1. Archived fromthe originalon September 15, 2012.RetrievedOctober 9,2009.
  6. ^McCarthy, Ellen (September 14, 2009)."Third Wedding's a Charm for Denyce Graves".The Washington Post.RetrievedOctober 9,2009.
  7. ^Toni Morrison's first opera made its debut in Detroit,Detroit free Press,Mark Stryker, August 6, 2019
  8. ^Barnes, Robert (May 17, 2010)."Opera-loving justices bring the music to the high court".The Washington Post.
  9. ^Siceloff, Steven (7 August 2017) [Originally published 25 November 2014]."Orion Flight Test to Carry Mementos and Inspirational Items".NASA.Archived fromthe originalon 19 October 2021.
  10. ^Zachary Woolfe (23 November 2022),"Review: InThe Hours,Prima Donnas and Emotions Soar ",The New York Times.
  11. ^Met program for the performance ofThe Hourson December 10, 2022.Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  12. ^"Denyce Graves Honored as Ambassador of Arts".www.washingtoninformer.com.The Washington Informer. 25 January 2017.
  13. ^"Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement".www.achievement.org.American Academy of Achievement.
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