Black Voices Rise: African American Artists at the Met, 1955-1985

Coinciding with the landmark new production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess during the 2019–20 season, the Met released a compilation celebrating the stellar artistry of black singers on the company’s famous stage. Black Voices Rise: African American Artists at the Met, 1955–1985 showcases live performances by some of the nation’s most celebrated and history-making singers, including Marian Anderson, who broke the Met’s color barrier with her debut in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera in 1955. Other notable artists featured include Leontyne Price, Grace Bumbry, Shirley Verrett, Kathleen Battle, Robert McFerrin, and George Shirley, among many others. The collection also includes rare excerpts from the 1985 company-premiere production of Porgy and Bess, starring Simon Estes and Roberta Alexander in the title roles.