The age of the Black diva - Afro-American opera singers

Ebony, August, 1991

Not that things are all rosy in opera-land; Black men are not nearly as visible as Black women. Some attribute it to lingering racism - a reluctance to allow Black men to assume to romantic leading roles that would place them onstage making love to White divas. "It's still considered a risk today to cast Black males in romantic roles," says Harolyn Blackwell.

Still, the Black divas are doing well: performing a variety of roles, in opera houses all over the world. Their accomplishments are heady, and somewhat surprising, even to them. As Blackwell says, "I realize how fortunate I am that I am of this period."