Black Artists Vocal Extravaganza To Be Presented At Convent Avenue Baptist Church Sunday Oct 21st

Sept. 30, 2012 - PRLog -- The Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble (MORE OPERA) and producers Cheryl Warfield, soprano and Richard Hobson, baritone will present “Black Artists Vocal Extravaganza,” a gala concert paying homage to African-American opera singers past and present on Sunday October 21, 2012 at 4:00 PM at Convent Avenue Baptist Church, 420 West 145th Street at Convent Avenue in Hamilton Heights Harlem.  The gala concert will include operatic arias, opera excerpts and spirituals performed in conjunction with a dramatic narrative based on the lives and careers of renowned Black singers, performed by Miss Warfield and Mr. Hobson and featuring the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, directed by Dr. Gregory H. Hopkins. Admission is free to the general public.  Come hear the expressive vocal qualities of some of New York's finest talent in this performance.  

This concert is made possible in part with public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

Cheryl Warfield is the founder of ADVANCE, a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit community based vocal arts organization that produces concerts and educational programs promoting the understanding and appreciation of classical music and opera.  

Cheryl has performed over 15 lead operatic roles. Career highlights include her Broadway debut in Hal Prince’s “Show Boat,”critical acclaim as Strawberry Woman in Lyric Opera of Chicago's "Porgy & Bess" and a guest soloist appearance for the 2010 NFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. Cheryl is also a teaching artist in New York City and a 2012 recipient of a Manhattan Community Arts Fund (MCAF) grant for “Black History Month Extravaganza.

Richard Hobson, baritone, is known for the "dramatic persona" he brings to his performances.  Richard made his debut at The Metropolitan Opera in 2001 and was on the Met's roster for ten seasons.  Some of the operas Richard performed in at the MET include Madama Butterfly, Doctor Faustus, Boris Godunov, La Juive, Die Frau Ohne Schatten and Samson and Dalila Met.   Mr. Hobson received accolades in the role of Porgy in “Porgy and Bess” with the Delaware Opera in May 2012.

Dr. Gregory H. Hopkins has served as Minister of Music for Harlem's Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Hamilton Heights for nearly a quarter of a century where he oversees an extraordinary ministry of music rivaled by few churches anywhere, including seven musical choirs and a spoken word Scripture Choir.  Dr. Hopkins received a master's degree in opera from Curtis Institute of Music and doctoral degree in music from Belford University.  He has won prizes in competitions including: The Verdi Prize in Busetto, Italy; Outstanding Tenor Award, Mantova, Italy; The Dealy Award and The Opera Index Grant.  Dr. Hopkins is currently an assistant professor of Voice at Howard University. As a singer, pianist, organist, choral conductor, teacher and clinician, he has traveled throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and The Middle East.   In New York, Dr. Hopkins also serves as artistic director for Harlem Opera Theater and music director for the Harlem Jubilee Singers and Cocolo Japanese Gospel Choir. He is a featured artist on more than 5 commercially released CD projects; one of which was nominated for a Grammy.

Convent Avenue Baptist Church was founded on February 4, 1942 by Dr. John W. Saunders, formerly pastor of the Walker Memorial Baptist Church. Dr. Jesse T. Williams is the Senior Pastor.  Howard Ruthus Mann became the Church's first Minister of Music and served in that role for 42 years. Professor Mann started what continues to be a hallmark of worship at Convent, an extraordinary ministry of music rivaled by few churches anywhere.

The Convent Avenue Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir is one of seven singing choirs that comprise the music department of Convent Avenue Baptist Church.  Dr. Gregory H. Hopkins is the 2nd and current Minister of Music. The choirs' repertoire spans centuries and includes many sacred masterworks and well as spirituals and contemporary songs. The choir has recorded a CD of spirituals entitled "Amazing Grace" with Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano, Barbara Conrad, which was nominated for a Grammy.

Public Transportation via Subway: A, C, D, or B trains to West 145th Street.

For more information, contact ADVANCE at 212-252-2512 (voice mail) or Cheryl@advance-ny.info.