Saturday, September 9 at 11:00 AM
Dr. Christine Jobson will give a dramatic reading of her children’s book Lily’s First Trip to the Opera, followed by a reading from Jillian Pirtle, CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society of When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan. The Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society will display items of Marian’s – letters, dresses, and sheet music – to bring the story of the Philadelphia luminary to life. The event will conclude with participants having an opportunity to purchase a copy of Lily’s First Trip to the Opera to be autographed by the author!
Thank you to our generous partners at Opera Philadelphia, The Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society, and The International Florence Price Festival.
Dr. Christine Jobson, Jamaican-American soprano, has performed in Spain, Portugal, Austria, Russia, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and throughout the United States. For two seasons starting in 2019, Christine was a featured soloist at the Metropolitan Opera for their Grammy award-winning production of Porgy and Bess. Recently, she covered Evenlyn in the Metropolitan Opera’s Grammy award-winning production of Fire Shut Up in My Bones. She made her Russian debut at the Music Hall Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess Suite. Operatic roles include the title role in Massenet’s Cendrillon, Musetta in La Bohème, Celie in Signor Deluso, and Annie and Bess in Porgy and Bess. In May 2019, Christine won first place in the pre-professional category of the prestigious George Shirley Vocal Competition.
Dr. Jobson remains an advocate for the preservation and dissemination of vocal music by African American composers, including Negro spirituals, anthems, art song, gospel, and hymns. This passion inspired Dr. Jobson’s recordings: By Faith, a collection of hymns and Negro spirituals with Dr. Wayne Bucknor and Nearly Lost: Art Songs by Florence Price with Dr. Gregory Thomspon which was recently named one of Opera Wire's “10 Essential & Historic Opera Recordings of Music by Black Composers.” Dr. Jobson’s composition I Dream a World, was featured in a production by English National Opera in 2020.
Dr. Jobson is a musical entrepreneur who has launched a variety of endeavors including the release of her first children's book, Lily’s First Trip to the Opera, which is available on Amazon. For more information about her virtual school, The Jobson Academy of Music, please visit www.christinejobson.com.
Registration information will be shared with Opera Philadelphia upon the completion of the event.
