Soloman Howard has something in common with the street people living outside the entrance to Washington’s Kennedy Center Opera house. He was once homeless himself. Today, Soloman is onstage playing the pivotal role in the revival of “Don Giovanni”. He grew up only a few miles away, in a rough D.C. neighborhood. “I witnessed my […]

“Porgy and Bess” is one opera I wasn’t pressed to see. Watching blacks wearing rags and singing about better days didn’t appeal to me, but Charles Randolph-Wright changed my mind. He’s director of the opera which opens at the Blumenthal’s Belk Theater Friday. The opera will be here through Sunday. This year marks the 75th […]

The groundbreaking opera "Porgy and Bess" moves to the Belk Theater this year. The opera captures black life in a fictitious community in Charleston, S.C. The Charlotte production stars Leonard Rowe as Porgy on Saturday and Sunday and Kevin Short as Porgy on Friday and Saturday. Donita Volkijn stars as Bess and Reggie Whitehead as Sportin' Life. The opera will be at the Belk from May 14-16.