Opera Singers Important To "Christmas In Washington" History

Clamma Dale

Performing for Presidents of the United States has long been a duty and service that comes with great honor for classical musicians for more than a century. Particularly highlighted during the holiday season in December each year since 1981, opera singers have played an integral part of the concert Christmas in Washington. Standing alongside fellow musicians from virtually every genre of the music world to celebrate holiday favorites has brought the world of opera to larger audiences via television. Taking a look back over the years, the following singers have been fortunate enough to be part of this American tradition: Frederica von Stade (1984), Clamma Dale (1986), Kathleen Battle (1988), Barbara Hendricks (1990), Dawn Upshaw (1995) Ruth Ann Swenson (1996), Thomas Hampson (1997), Harolyn Blackwell (1998), Charlotte Church (2001), Renée Fleming (2003),  and Andrea Bocelli (2010). Take a look at some of the

Kathleen Battle

performances after the jump. "One of two annual holiday specials produced by George Stevens, Jr. (the other being the Kennedy Center Honors), the variety show first aired in 1981 on NBC before moving to its current home on TNT in 1998. Recorded in Washington, D.C. at the National Building Museum, on the second Sunday of each December before being re-edited for later broadcast, Christmas in Washington is a one-hour concert featuring artists from musical genres. Each guest perform at least one solo, but the marquee performer usually has one or two more songs. The show also has at least one guest from the world of opera. Each of the musical performances are backed by a full orchestra and chorus. The show's finale consists of a medley performed by all the musical guests before

Frederica von Stade

the attendees-of-honor, the President of the United States and the First Lady, make a closing statement. Recent events have benefited Children's National Medical Center. The show also has a host. For many years, the show was hosted by Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin. However, since 2009, the show has had a single host. The 2013 edition featured Hugh Jackman as host and The Backstreet Boys as marquee performers, marking the first time in six years that a group has been featured as marquee performers. The show airs live on pay-per-view internationally and in most major cities, after which a re-edited 42-minute version (with commercials in a one-hour slot) airs on the aforementioned TNT network." [Source, Source, Source, Source, Source]  

Renee Fleming performing during the Christmas in Washington at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., in 2003. | gettyimages.com

Harolyn Blackwell To Be Part of Kennedy Center Honors Committee

"Under the revised process, the Kennedy Center will begin seeking recommendations from the public for the first time in the award's 35-year history. Recommendations can be submitted online beginning Thursday. The center will also seek more recommendations from a committee of artists. To narrow the roster of potential honorees, the center is forming a new Special Honors Committee. Former honorees Chita Rivera and Yo-Yo Ma will serve on the panel, along with opera singer Harolyn Blackwell, dancer Damian Woetzel and two center board members, Elaine Wynn and Cappy McGarr. From there, the Kennedy Center chairman, president and award producers will create slates of potential honorees to balance the selections across artistic disciplines, and the executive committee of the center's board of trustees will make the final decision." [Source]

Harolyn Blackwell Talks Finger Lakes Wine on PBS "Vine Talk"

(Click the above image to launch the full episode of "Vine Talk" featuring the opera soprano)

"From the opera stage to Broadway, concert and recital halls around the world, Harolyn Blackwell has established herself as one of the finest and most versatile singers of her generation. She has performed before enthusiastic audiences at The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago and Teatro Colon de Buenos Aires amongst others. Her television credits include The Grammy Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors and The Annual Memorial Day and Fourth of July Concerts on PBS."

Harolyn Blackwell & Denyce Graves in Kennedy Tribute

Blackwell with President Bush (2006)

January 20 marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's inauguration. On that day in 1961, the African-American mezzo-soprano Marian Anderson sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." As a tribute to this occasion Harolyn Blackwell will perform on the opening night concert of a three-weeklong series of performances and events commemorating the president. The

Graves & President Obama (2009)

events are taking place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The second opera-related event in the series will be a recital by Denyce Graves on February 1. The mezzo-soprano will sing selections from a 1962 White House program sung by Grace Bumbry who was the first African-American opera singer to perform at the White House. The Kennedy Center Honors awarded Grace Bumbry in 2009 for her exemplary lifetime achievement in the performing arts.
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