Patrick D. McCoy on the death of soprano Camilla Williams

Feb. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Patrick D. McCoy expresses his deepest sympathy to the family of the soprano Camilla Williams who died at the age of 92.  Ms. Williams was the first black woman to sing a major role with an American opera company and the first black professor of voice at Indiana University at Bloomington.

"As a music major at Virginia State University, there was not a time that we, as students were not reminded of the accomplishments of our great music alumni, especially the late jazz great Dr. Billy Taylor and now soprano Camilla Williams.  Our choir director Johnnella L. Edmonds always took time to speak of those singers who sometimes are often overlooked, but had extraordinary careers such as Ms. Williams and soprano Reri Grist."  McCoy remembered fondly.

Interestingly, the New York City Opera debut of Camilla Williams in the title role of "Madame Butterly" came nine years before Marian Anderson's debut at The Metropolitan Opera.


"It is so sad that the great works of artists such as Ms. Williams are only brought completely to the fore when they die.  I am literally ashamed of myself for not diving deep into the recesses of this extraordinary life once lived.  To not even know that she sang directly before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s  "I Have a Dream" speech and was a musical drum major for justice through her work during the Civil Rights movement grieves me." McCoy said.

PRESS COVERAGE OF MS. WILLIAMS' DEATH:

BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16806627

THE WASHINGTON POST:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/camilla-wi...

RECENT FOOTAGE ON YOUTUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVHvAjISfsM



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Standing proudly on the shoulders of the late African-American classical music critic, Raoul Abdul, Patrick D. McCoy is committed to informing the entire community about the joys of classical music. Visit: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/patrickdmccoy