Among celebrations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and Black History Month in February is an operatic celebration of the black experience to be presented in University Park.
Opera Up Close concludes it season with “Lift Every Voice” Jan. 21 at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts.
“We’re tying it in January with Martin Luther King Day and the advent of African American History Month in February. It was time to revisit this repertoire,” said John Concepcion, producer of Opera Up Close.
Selections include “Summertime” from the opera “Porgy and Bess,” “Make Them Hear You” and “Wheels of a Dream” from the musical “Ragtime,” “Go Down Moses” and “Joy” by Chicago composer and pianist Dolores White, and “I Dream a World” by Uzee Brown Jr.
“Tickets will sell out. It’s the combination of the singers that we have and the program itself,” said Concepcion, who narrates “Lift Every Voice” and is creating the visual element of rear projection behind the performers.
If the concept seems familiar to longtime Opera Up Close fans, it is because “Lift Every Voice” was presented in February 2012 as part of the second season.
Although soprano Kimberly E. Jones, tenor Cornelius Johnson and pianist Paul Hamilton were part of the first “Lift Every Voice,” the upcoming program will not be a carbon copy, he said.
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“The addition of baritone Adrian Dunn opens up lots of possible repertoire,” said Concepcion, of Flossmoor.
“He has made a career in doing many different types of music and certainly opera. He’s sung in Italy. He’s sung all over the country as an opera artist. He also is a record producer, writer and composer and wrote this piece called ‘Hopera: A Hip Hop Opera.’ It combines hip-hop and opera.
“He’s going to do some of that at the concert along with some of the more traditional things.”
Concepcion said it was a no-brainer to bring back Jones, who performed as soprano soloist for Waukegan Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “Do It Yourself Messiah” in December.
“I sing with Kim all over the city in many different venues,” said Concepcion, a full-time Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus member.
“Kim is probably the busiest soprano working in Chicago right now. She sings everywhere and everything from early music to opera to musical theater. She does a little bit of jazz. She’s such a versatile artist. She’s beautiful. She just commands the stage. Having her sing this repertoire is just a perfect fit.”
Rounding out the trio of Chicago-based vocalists is Johnson.
“Cornelius has been a fixture in the operatic community for a long time. He does all different kinds of music. He works closely with the South Shore Opera Company down in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago,” Concepcion said.
“He’s just one of those people who’s always working and got such a beautiful voice.”
“Lift Every Voice” features a soul food buffet plus a glass of wine at audience members’ onstage seats for an up-close experience with the performers.
“When we get to February and January I always think we’re out of the deep freeze,” Concepcion said.
“At this time of year with people singing this variety of music in this program combined with a buffet of comfort food, it’s a great way to cap off what’s been a great series. It’s a great way to close out our work and our contribution to the season.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
‘Lift Every Voice’
When: 4 p.m. Jan. 21
Where: Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts, 1 University Parkway, University Park
Tickets: $55 for limited onstage seating