Creating Destiny
Photo by JEJ Artists
The production of “Aida” starring Angela Brown at the Metropolitan Opera House is certainly inspiring, but the struggles, unpredictability, and eventual triumph of Ms. Brown’s journey to the stage are elements that any three-and-a-half-hour opera cannot possibly contain. Having sung in her grandfather’s choir in a Baptist church as a five-year-old and not having been brought up on classical music, Ms. Brown’s ascent to the Met as an opera singer seems all the more unlikely considering that her journey has included such far-reaching places as California, Alabama, and Zimbabwe. Judging by the enthusiastic praise heaped on Ms. Brown since her Met debut in “Aida” on October 29, 2004, it seems like all that travel was worth it, not to mention the numerous auditions, classes, and clutch performances along the way.
As Ms. Brown became more aware of opera as her calling, her destiny seemed to fall into place in bits and pieces. Ms. Brown originally wanted to sing Gospel and attended Oakwood College in Alabama where her singing teacher, Ginger Beazley, noticed her voice. Ms. Brown would go on to study at Indiana University where she became a vocal coach for the IU Soul Revue. It was also at IU where Ms. Brown was advised by soprano Virginia Zeani, who emphasized the importance of hard work in developing her talent. Ms. Brown learned the languages of opera as she took German, French, and Italian classes at IU, and her singing brought her to the West Coast and even to Africa. After leaving IU, Ms. Brown competed in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, coming up short on the regional level three times. On her fourth and final attempt, she was able to break through the regional level and found herself in New York where things were not exactly easier. Ms. Brown recalls working as an understudy at the Met and covering for a few seasons.
Ms. Brown’s work at the Met would eventually lead to the fateful rehearsal that would put her on the path to fame and acclaim. Singing a rehearsal for Michele Crider in 2002, Ms. Brown wowed her superiors and was offered two covers and two performances for the 2004-2005 season. After her debut at the Met, Ms. Brown made the front page of the New York Times and was covered by CBS News. Angela Brown had arrived and the world clearly took notice.
When listening to Ms. Brown tell her story and give samples of her singing, one cannot help but notice her down-to-earth personality, flair for entertaining, and of course, her voice. In addition to her work on the stage, Ms. Brown has developed a program called “Opera From a Sistah’s Point of View” that she performs in order to demystify opera. Despite obstacles and setbacks, Ms. Brown has been able to triumph and her story is proof that the person who is able to create success is the person who realizes his or her own destiny. “I feel like I was born to do what I’m doing now,” says Ms. Brown. With her work ethic, talent, and positive attitude, there may be much more to come.