Sequina DuBose, assistant professor of voice, will sing the role of Clara in the Opera Carolina production of George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” Performances will take place Jan. 22-28 at the Belk Theater in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
She also recently released her debut album, “Blurred Lines: 21st Century Hybrid Vocal Literature.”
The role of Clara, who sings “Summertime,” the opera’s most famous tune, is one that DuBose knows well. In 2010, she sang 40 consecutive performances as Clara in the 75th anniversary national tour of “Porgy and Bess.”
“Her lovely lyric soprano spun ‘Summertime’ winningly,” wrote South Florida Classical Review. “She gave unusual stature to Clara as a figure of tragic grandeur.”
DuBose has performed with opera companies in the U.S. and Europe, including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Memphis, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Utah Festival Opera and Royal Danish Opera. Last year, she made her Opera Carolina debut, performing the role of Elvira in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.”
DuBose’s performing interests include musical theatre and contemporary and hybrid works, and with Assistant Professor of Theatre Laura Waringer, she co directs the College of Arts + Architecture’s Musical Theatre Certificate program.
“Blurred Lines” presents the works of seven 21st-century composers who blur the lines between opera, classical art song and other musical genres. Recorded in Charlotte at Sharon Presbyterian Church, the 15-track album features DuBose performing with pianist Gregory Thompson, with contributions by UNC Charlotte music faculty Mira Frisch (cello) and Jessica Lindsey (clarinet), alumni Daniel Ferreira (percussion) and Rob Linton (bass) and guests Kari Giles (violin) and David Hughey (voice).