DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987 | 1986-09-20 ""Opera Star Simon Estes First Black Male to Open Met Season""

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Cecile Cooper newspaper clippings, 1966-1987

1986-09-20 ""Opera Star Simon Estes First Black Male to Open Met Season""

John Duzansky Rhetoric 1030/Rozsa
Grit Sept 14-20, 1986
Opera Star Simon Estes First Black Male to Open Met Season
By JOHN BECHTEL
Grit Staff Writer
THE FUTURE looms bright for Simon Estes as a major operatic performer, his bass-baritone voice serving him well as he will become on Sept. 22 the first black male to open a Metropolitan Opera season.
But, Estes also is exploring other realms of music and just made his first popular album.
"Before I got into opera," he said, "I sang popular music at the University of Iowa."
The pops album evolved after a European producer persuaded Estes to record a duet with singer Denise Rich. Estes went to London and made the recording, but it proved unsatisfactory.
so, Rich wrote a song "Save the Children, Save their Lives," for Estes to perform by himself.
"I WANTED to do it to share the gift God has given me with more people," says Estes, father of two small daughters. "I had an idea, 'Why not take this record and give some of the proceeds to children?'"
His manager contacted Princess Anne who is president of the "Save the Children Fund" in Europe and received a message expressing thanks for the offer. The princess advised Estes to make his contribution through the "Save the Children Federation" here in the United States.
Estes is also planning a concert tour in several cities later this fall and will donate part of the proceeds of that tour to the same fund.
"I've had a desire all my life to help people," Estes explains. "There are so many children right her in this country who are suffering. My wife and I are very blessed that we are able to give our children a good, healthy life."
Estes says he doesn't find it difficult to make the transition from opera to pops.
"It's a different style of singing, but I use the same vocal technique," he notes. "If it were going to put a strain on my voice, I wouldn't do it."
Estes is one of the first black men to sing opera and is still basically the only one to leading roles in major opera houses. But he sees that changing.
"THERE ARE a number of young black singers on the horizon who I think are going to make great strides in this area," he notes. "I hope the doors will be open for them to share their gifts and talents.
"I always try to conduct myself in an ambassadorial way," he adds.
As an example, Estes reports that recently in Chicago a young black singer appproached him and said, "Because of you, I am here today." The singer told him, Estes continues, that seven years ago he dreamed of singing opera but didn't think he had a chance-until he heard Estes and realized there was hope.

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John Duzansky Rhetoric 1030/Rozsa Grit Sept 14-20, 1986 Opera Star Simon Estes First Black Male to Open Met Season By JOHN BECHTEL Grit Staff Writer THE FUTURE looms bright for Simon Estes as a major operatic performer, his bass-baritone voice serving him well as he will become on Sept. 22 the first black male to open a Metropolitan Opera season. But, Estes also is exploring other realms of music and just made his first popular album. "Before I got into opera," he said, "I sang popular music at the University of Iowa." The pops album evolved after a European producer persuaded Estes to record a duet with singer Denise Rich. Estes went to London and made the recording, but it proved unsatisfactory. so, Rich wrote a song "Save the Children, Save their Lives," for Estes to perform by himself. "I WANTED to do it to share the gift God has given me with more people," says Estes, father of two small daughters. "I had an idea, 'Why not take this record and give some of the proceeds to children?'" His manager contacted Princess Anne who is president of the "Save the Children Fund" in Europe and received a message expressing thanks for the offer. The princess advised Estes to make his contribution through the "Save the Children Federation" here in the United States. Estes is also planning a concert tour in several cities later this fall and will donate part of the proceeds of that tour to the same fund. "I've had a desire all my life to help people," Estes explains. "There are so many children right her in this country who are suffering. My wife and I are very blessed that we are able to give our children a good, healthy life." Estes says he doesn't find it difficult to make the transition from opera to pops. "It's a different style of singing, but I use the same vocal technique," he notes. "If it were going to put a strain on my voice, I wouldn't do it." Estes is one of the first black men to sing opera and is still basically the only one to leading roles in major opera houses. But he sees that changing. "THERE ARE a number of young black singers on the horizon who I think are going to make great strides in this area," he notes. "I hope the doors will be open for them to share their gifts and talents. "I always try to conduct myself in an ambassadorial way," he adds. As an example, Estes reports that recently in Chicago a young black singer appproached him and said, "Because of you, I am here today." The singer told him, Estes continues, that seven years ago he dreamed of singing opera but didn't think he had a chance-until he heard Estes and realized there was hope.