Washington National Opera Presents Ryan Speedo Green

Named for the groundbreaking African American contralto, theMarian Anderson Vocal Award recognizes a young American singer in opera, oratorio, or recital repertoire with outstanding promise for a significant career. Washington National Opera (WNO) named bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as the 2018 recipient earlier this year and is pleased to present him in concert on Thursday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Tickets are $39.

A Virginia native, Green’s path took him from juvenile detention to the Metropolitan Opera and other great stages of the world, including Salzburg, Vienna, Houston, and now, Washington, D.C. His recital at the Kennedy Center includes works by Wagner, Verdi, and Mahler as well as the American composers Margaret Bonds, Florence B. Price, Leslie Adams, and Howard Swanson. Green will be accompanied by pianist Adam Nielsen.

In addition to the recital co-presented by WNO and the Kennedy Center’s Fortas Chamber Music Concerts, Green received a $10,000 cash prize and will lead a master class with students in the Vocal Music program at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington D.C.’s visual and performing arts high school. Green was selected by a distinguished panel comprising Evans Mirageas (Artistic Director Cincinnati Opera and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra), Michael Heaston (now Music Director-HGO Studio at Houston Grand Opera and Director of Opera Studies at Rice University), Francesca Zambello (WNO Artistic Director), Andrew Jorgensen (now General Director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis), director Tazewell Thompson (Lost In The Stars and Appomattox at WNO), mezzo-soprano and former Marian Anderson Prize winner Denyce Graves, and soprano and Kennedy Center Honoree Martina Arroyo.

In order to honor Ms. Anderson’s personal and humanitarian achievements, the Award encourages service and education, enabling exemplary artists to connect with the community. Aligning with Green’s skills and interest, his educational program at the Duke Ellington School aims to positively impact vocal music students. The school offers a pre-college preparatory and comprehensive arts curriculum, which includes a major in vocal music. With more than 50 of the school’s vocal students invited to attend the master class, select students will be given the opportunity to perform and receive the artist’s feedback and advice.

Prior Award recipients include Sylvia McNair, Denyce Graves, Philip Zawisza, Nancy Maultsby, Patricia Racette, Michelle DeYoung, Nathan Gunn, Marguerite Krull, Eric Owens, Lawrence Brownlee, Indira Mahajan, Sasha Cooke, J’nai Bridges, Jamie Barton, Janai Brugger, and most recently, counter-tenor John Holliday.

Tickets are $39 and are available online, in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, and by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324. Groups of 10 or more may contact the Kennedy Center Group Sales office at (202) 416-8400. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.