Washington National Opera Partners with Organization to Provide Opera Tickets to Needy Youth

Washington, DC (CAAPA) - In a continued effort to promote the love of classical music and the arts for African American youth, CAAPA (Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts), in cooperation with Washington National Opera, is delighted to offer CAAPA members and students discounted tickets for the upcoming production of Porgy and Bess at Washington, DC's Kennedy Center during selected performances in the month of November.

'This is an important work for African American classical musicians,' stated CAAPA Founder, Victor Simonson. Simonson is also a classically trained pianist and baritone who currently serves as Music Director for Three Mo' Tenors.

Simonson suggested the Gershwins' famous work, Porgy and Bess as an ideal opportunity to showcase some of the more prominent African American opera singers in the nation. Washington National Opera's production, conducted by Wayne Marshall, features acclaimed classical performers including; Angela Simpson, Kevin Short, Eric Greene, Lester Lynch, Laquita Mitchell, and Gordon Hawkins.
'As a youth, I was the benefactor of cultural programs such as CAAPA and saw my first opera. It changed my life,' Simonson said.
'CAAPA is delighted and blessed to have an opportunity to offer youth and their parents to see this performance at the Kennedy Center. We are certain it will make an impact in their lives,' continued Simonson.
'Many of the attendees have never seen an opera'. The native New Yorker invites persons to support the organization's efforts with a financial contribution to help continue CAAPA's incentive programs.

The non-profit company is dedicated to the cultural outreach, talent development, and audience awareness of classical music and the performing arts of and for the African American community. The group also offers scholarship opportunities and educational enhancement for aspiring African American classical musicians and may be contacted at the www.4caapa.org, or by mailing a check directly to CAAPA, Post Office Box 54552, Washington, DC 20032.
To order tickets to tickets to Porgy and Bess, call 202-295-2400, 800-US-OPERA, or visit www.dc-opera.org. For groups of ten or more, please call 202-295-2445.