DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987 | 1980-11-29 Diversions: ""Simon Estes, He knows the way home."" Page 2

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Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987

1980-11-29 Diversions: ""Simon Estes, He knows the way home."" Page 2

10D --Iowa City Press-Citizen--Saturday, November 29, 1980

He Knows the way home.

Simon Estes

By STARLA SMITH
Press-Citizen Reporter

Simon Estes is coming home.
Estes, now an international opera star, will perform a benefit recital Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Hancher Auditorium for the University of Iowa School of Music. Proceeds will go toward student scholarships.
In this, his third Hancher appearance, Estes will be joined by the UI Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta and members of the Stradivari Quartet, under the direction of James Dixion.
Estes will perform arias by Mozart, Verdi and Wagner. The all-Mozart first half of the program includes Serenata Notturna, the concert aria Mentra ti lascio, o figlia from La Disfatta Di Dario, In Diesen Heligen Hallen from The Magic Flute, and Madamina! il catalogo from Don Giovanni. The second half contains two verdi arias, il lacerato spirito from Simon Boccanegra and Ella giamma mamo from  DonCarlos -- and Wotan's farewell from Die Walkure by Wagner.
Many years have passed since young Simon Estes was himself on the receiving side. But while he was a student at the university his voice teacher, Charles Kellis, organized a benefit recital. The proceeds, $267, enabled Estes to go to New York and audition a the Julliard School of Music.
He didn't disappoint his supporters.
And he has not forgotten . . . .
What made Simon sing?
Perhaps it was a combination of shackles and love.
Young Estes began to sing more than thirty years ago in Centerville, Iowa. His father had moved there to work in the coal mines. His grandfather had been a slave.
The family had no running water. The young boy had to fetch the daily supply from a well some distance away -- he had only sisters.
The family was poor but devoutly religious.
When he started school, he wasn't allowed to take part in the school plays or help the younger children cross the streets. He was only allowed music and gym.
Why? 
Because Simon Estes was black.

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10D --Iowa City Press-Citizen--Saturday, November 29, 1980 He Knows the way home. Simon Estes By STARLA SMITH Press-Citizen Reporter Simon Estes is coming home. Estes, now an international opera star, will perform a benefit recital Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Hancher Auditorium for the University of Iowa School of Music. Proceeds will go toward student scholarships. In this, his third Hancher appearance, Estes will be joined by the UI Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta and members of the Stradivari Quartet, under the direction of James Dixion. Estes will perform arias by Mozart, Verdi and Wagner. The all-Mozart first half of the program includes Serenata Notturna, the concert aria Mentra ti lascio, o figlia from La Disfatta Di Dario, In Diesen Heligen Hallen from The Magic Flute, and Madamina! il catalogo from Don Giovanni. The second half contains two verdi arias, il lacerato spirito from Simon Boccanegra and Ella giamma mamo from DonCarlos -- and Wotan's farewell from Die Walkure by Wagner. Many years have passed since young Simon Estes was himself on the receiving side. But while he was a student at the university his voice teacher, Charles Kellis, organized a benefit recital. The proceeds, $267, enabled Estes to go to New York and audition a the Julliard School of Music. He didn't disappoint his supporters. And he has not forgotten . . . . What made Simon sing? Perhaps it was a combination of shackles and love. Young Estes began to sing more than thirty years ago in Centerville, Iowa. His father had moved there to work in the coal mines. His grandfather had been a slave. The family had no running water. The young boy had to fetch the daily supply from a well some distance away -- he had only sisters. The family was poor but devoutly religious. When he started school, he wasn't allowed to take part in the school plays or help the younger children cross the streets. He was only allowed music and gym. Why? Because Simon Estes was black. p.2 (of 5)