Opera Baltimore's celebration of soprano Anne Wiggins Brown

By Tom Hall,

Published October 7, 2022 at 12:45 PM EDT

Soprano Anne Wiggins Brown (1912-2009) shown performing as "Bess" in the 1945 film version of George Gwershwin's "Porgy and Bess." Brown was the first to play the role when the classic musical premiered on broadway in 1935. — Soprano Anne Wiggins Brown (1912-2009) performing as "Bess" in the 1945 film version of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." Brown was the first to play the role in the classic opera's 1935 Broadway premiere.

Anne Wiggins Brown — whom we hear at the opening of this segment singing "Summertime" from the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess — is one of the many great artists to come out of Baltimore’s rich musical community.

Porgy and Bess composer George Gershwin chose the then-23 year-old Brown to sing the title role of "Bess" in his opera, a role that helped launch her storied career. This weekend,Opera Baltimorewill celebrate the great soprano with a festival and concert. Among the featured performers will be the great soprano, composer and educator, Adrienne Danrich.

Julia Cooke is the Artistic and general Director of Opera Baltimore (photo credit Britt Olsen-Ecker) — Julia Cooke is the Artistic and General Director of Opera Baltimore. (photo credit Britt Olsen-Ecker)

Joining Tom now in Studio A with a preview is the Artistic and General Director of Opera Baltimore, Julia Cooke…

The Opera on the Avenue festival begins at 10:30 Saturday morning just off Pennsylvania Ave on Cumberland Street. The performance by Adrienne Danrich is Saturday night at 7:30 at University Baptist Church in Charles Village here in Baltimore. Click the link for more info.

Audio will be posted here later this afternoon.