February 6, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--The Sumter County Fine Arts Council presents “See There in the Distance: A Tribute to Marian Anderson,” created and performed by opera singer Ruby Hinds, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the University of West Alabama’s Bibb Graves Auditorium.
 

“See There in the Distance” is a multi-media, one-woman show that chronicles the life and accomplishments of Marian Anderson, an African American opera singer who paved the way for many artists. Having been refused the use of Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., Anderson, with Eleanor Roosevelt’s help, organized a concert at the Lincoln Memorial that had a live audience of 75,000 plus millions of radio listeners. She was also the first African American to perform at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House in 1955.

“See There in the Distance” is set backstage at the Metropolitan Opera House as Anderson prepares to make her debut as Ulrica in Guiseppe Verdi’s “The Masked Ball.”

Mezzo-soprano Ruby Hinds has earned critical acclaim for her performances in Verdi’s “Aida,” Wagner’s “Tannhauser,” Bellini’s “Norma” and many other roles. The creation of new roles in 20th century operas and bringing new perspective to standard operatic heroines has been the hallmark of Hinds’ career.

The Sumter County Fine Arts Council season will continue with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performance April 8 and the Black Belt’s own syndicated radio program, the Sucarnochee Revue, taped live at UWA on Feb. 22 and April 18.

Admission for “See There in the Distance” is free for Sumter County Fine Arts Council members and UWA students with proper I.D. Admission for all others is $7 for adults and $2 for children.

The SCFAC receives support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, The University of West Alabama and other agencies, businesses and individuals. For more information about the season’s schedule or about becoming a SCFAC member, please visit www.scfac.uwa.edu.