Aida's Brothers & Sisters: Black Voices in Opera and Concert

Part history lesson, part celebration of past accomplishments and future possibilities, Jan Schmidt-Garre and Marieke Schroeder's vibrant film documents how African-American singers fought to achieve recognition in the concert hall and on the operatic stage, yet also suggests that their struggle is far from over. Aida's Brothers & Sisters reaches back to the 19th century, but the emphasis is on the last 75 years, beginning with Paul Robeson, who faced both bigotry and persecution over his pro-Soviet views. Famed contralto Marian Anderson was barred by the Daughters of the American Revolution from singing at Constitution Hall in 1939, but was later welcomed to the Capitol by Eleanor Roosevelt—a historic act that eventually led the D.A.R. to invite the great soprano Leontyne Price to sing at their convention. Archival materials—including performance footage—are combined with newly-shot operatic excerpts and recollections from such luminaries as Betty Allen, Martina Arroyo, Grace Bumbry, Simon Estes, Reri Grist, Barbara Hendricks, Jessye Norman, George Shirley and Shirley Verrett, as well as journalists, musicians, and scholars like Edward Said. The film ends on a sobering note, observing that the acceptance of black singers never reached below the superstar level and that in recent years it's actually gotten worse, making such programs as the Harlem School of the Arts and enterprises like Opera Ebony even more important as places to nurture talent. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)