DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987 | 1984-05-10 ""Simon Estes comes to Northrop""

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Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987

1984-05-10 ""Simon Estes comes to Northrop""

Twin Cities Courier
Page 2 May 10, 1984

Simon Estes comes to Northrop

By Beverly Welch
Staff Writer
Simon Estes did not develop an interest in opera until he was a student at the University of Iowa. During a recent interview, the Center City, Iowa native said, "Even though I was surrounded by music as a child, I had never had an opportunity to become involved in the classics."
Upon this graduation from the University of Iowa, Estes continued his musical studies at the Julliard School of Music. He made his operatic debut as Ramfis in Aida at the Deutsche Opera Berlin.
Speaking about the small number of Black men in singing roles in American opera, Estes said, "There is a much different attitude towards Black male singers in Europe than there is in the United States. Europeans are less color conscious." he said. "They are more interested in your voice, acting ability and diction."
Estes went on to say that he has personally coached several Black male singers who are capable of singing lead roles right now. "I have seen them audition," he said, "and they are not even considered for the chorus. Many of these same singers have gone to Europe and sung leading (tenor) roles."
Estes believes that even though doors are opening in the United States for Black male singers, no big changes will occur until more Blacks are in policy and decision making positions in various opera companies throughout the country.
Currently on tour with the Metropolitan Opera Company, Estes will be singing the role of Wotan in Die Walkuere at Northrop Auditorium Thursday, May 24.
He said the he doesn't notice much difference in the audiences across the country. "People in the midwest may be a little more appreciative than New Yorkers, but opera-goers, as a whole, are very well-informed these days."
Thus, Estes did say that the average European is much more knowledgeable about opera than the average American, simply because it is so much apart of their everyday lives. He said that in Europe operas, ballets, classic plays and symphonic works are televised regularly over commercial television. "In the United States," he said, "the average person simply does not receive that kind of exposure." It is Estes' believe that if Americans were more accustomed to hearing the classics, there would be much greater interest. He related an incident which he experienced at McKinley High School in Tulsa, OK.
"I talked to the student body about music, values, etc. and then sang for them. To my surprise, I received a standing ovation and many requests for autographs. Later, the principal told me that they had invited others to the school before (athletes, etc.), but they had not been received as enthusiastically." Estes went on to say, "This and other similar experiences lead me to believe that young people are hungry for knowledge about many things to which they have not been exposed."
As far as training for young singers is concerned, Estes believes that the United States offers the best opportunity. "There are no better trained musicians than Americans," he said. "Even with the racial problems I have encountered, I am not bitter of disappointed. I love my country and will continue to be vocal about the changes I feel should be made to make it come closer to its ideals."
Tickets for Simon Estes' performance in Die Walkuere as well as several other performance of the Metropolitan Opera Company, are still available. For more information, call 373-2345.

[[photo caption]]
Simon Estes, bass-baritone
[[end caption]]

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Twin Cities Courier Page 2 May 10, 1984 Simon Estes comes to Northrop By Beverly Welch Staff Writer Simon Estes did not develop an interest in opera until he was a student at the University of Iowa. During a recent interview, the Center City, Iowa native said, "Even though I was surrounded by music as a child, I had never had an opportunity to become involved in the classics." Upon this graduation from the University of Iowa, Estes continued his musical studies at the Julliard School of Music. He made his operatic debut as Ramfis in Aida at the Deutsche Opera Berlin. Speaking about the small number of Black men in singing roles in American opera, Estes said, "There is a much different attitude towards Black male singers in Europe than there is in the United States. Europeans are less color conscious." he said. "They are more interested in your voice, acting ability and diction." Estes went on to say that he has personally coached several Black male singers who are capable of singing lead roles right now. "I have seen them audition," he said, "and they are not even considered for the chorus. Many of these same singers have gone to Europe and sung leading (tenor) roles." Estes believes that even though doors are opening in the United States for Black male singers, no big changes will occur until more Blacks are in policy and decision making positions in various opera companies throughout the country. Currently on tour with the Metropolitan Opera Company, Estes will be singing the role of Wotan in Die Walkuere at Northrop Auditorium Thursday, May 24. He said the he doesn't notice much difference in the audiences across the country. "People in the midwest may be a little more appreciative than New Yorkers, but opera-goers, as a whole, are very well-informed these days." Thus, Estes did say that the average European is much more knowledgeable about opera than the average American, simply because it is so much apart of their everyday lives. He said that in Europe operas, ballets, classic plays and symphonic works are televised regularly over commercial television. "In the United States," he said, "the average person simply does not receive that kind of exposure." It is Estes' believe that if Americans were more accustomed to hearing the classics, there would be much greater interest. He related an incident which he experienced at McKinley High School in Tulsa, OK. "I talked to the student body about music, values, etc. and then sang for them. To my surprise, I received a standing ovation and many requests for autographs. Later, the principal told me that they had invited others to the school before (athletes, etc.), but they had not been received as enthusiastically." Estes went on to say, "This and other similar experiences lead me to believe that young people are hungry for knowledge about many things to which they have not been exposed." As far as training for young singers is concerned, Estes believes that the United States offers the best opportunity. "There are no better trained musicians than Americans," he said. "Even with the racial problems I have encountered, I am not bitter of disappointed. I love my country and will continue to be vocal about the changes I feel should be made to make it come closer to its ideals." Tickets for Simon Estes' performance in Die Walkuere as well as several other performance of the Metropolitan Opera Company, are still available. For more information, call 373-2345. [[photo caption]] Simon Estes, bass-baritone [[end caption]]