Black Splendor: Composer Damien Geter & Soprano Ibidunni Ojikutu (on-demand)
Free
Ibidunni Ojikutu, soprano
Damien Geter – "Ingemisco" from An African American Requiem
About Damien Geter: Damien is a diverse artist whose credits include performances ranging from the operatic stage to the television screen. Damien's 2019-2020 season includes appearances with the Metropolitan Opera (Undertaker in Porgy and Bess), Seattle Opera (Colonel in The Falling and the Rising), Eugene Opera (Angelotti in Tosca). Other appearances included roles with Seattle Opera in the role of the Undertaker, and covering the role of Jake in Porgy and Bess; with Vashon Opera in the role of Colline in La bohème and Dr. Grenvil in Verdi’s La traviata with Portland Opera.
A native of Chesterfield County, VA, Damien is also a composer whose piece American Apollo is due to premiere in April 2021 with Washington National Opera and An African American Requiem is due to premiere with Resonance Ensemble and the Oregon Symphony in May, 2022.
About Ibidunni Ojikutu: A frequent performer in the Pacific Northwest (and Bellingham High School alum), Soprano Ibidunni Ojikutu is known for having a strong foundation in traditional and contemporary repertoire and has studied extensively in both areas. Ms.Ojikutu made her Seattle Opera debut as Strawberry Woman in their 2011 production of Porgy and Bess. Opera News said of her performance, “Ibidunni Ojikutu's turn as Strawberry Woman was as charming as the lilt in her voice.”
Upcoming projects include performing Songs of Harriet Tubman with Western Washington University Symphony Orchestra as well as a currently unnamed recording project featuring Libby Larsen’s Try Me Good King. Ms. Ojikutu is also an active adjudicator and masterclass clinician.
About the series: Black Splendor is a 10-part weekly virtual series, part of Lakewold Garden's "Music from Home" concert series. Each episode showcases an artist performing a song of their choosing, followed by a question and answer portion. Led by Creative Director Joe Williams, Black Splendor marks an opportunity to show Black musicians beyond their expected roles.
The broadcast will become available at 2pm Pacific. Black Splendor videos will be uploaded to and viewable at their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_aazWlIvCmB1X53KrK6KWA
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