“We have stories to tell that go beyond the traditional canon. Our experiences, our histories—they belong on these stages too. And when audiences see themselves reflected in these stories, opera becomes more relevant and impactful.”
To celebrate Women’s History Month, Love Now Media sat down with Grammy-award-winning opera and classical music singer Karen Slack to talk about breaking barriers as a producer, the future of opera, and her commissioning project, African Queens. The new commission, a recital of songs inspired by Black ancestry and great African women of the past, features compositions from Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon, and Joel Thompson.
Slack’s creative process for African Queens was immersive, fueled by her desire to bring authenticity and nuance to each work. She worked closely with each composer to explore the historical and cultural significance of the figures being portrayed. Some collaborations involved extensive research, where she and the composers delved into historical archives, music traditions, and storytelling techniques. In other cases, she trusted the composers to craft their interpretations, allowing for an organic and diverse representation of the queens’ legacies. “I wanted to make sure we weren’t just telling stories—we were bringing these women to life in ways that felt truthful and powerful,” Slack explains. This balance of structured guidance and artistic freedom gave each piece a unique yet unified voice within the project.
The process of commissioning new operatic works, she explains, is both intricate and lengthy. “Opera is a two to five-year commitment from the composer and librettist team, from the initial conversation to the final product,” she notes. Some works evolve over several workshops, while others arrive fully formed. Throughout her career, Slack has been deeply involved in commissioning, ensuring that new works, like her African Queens project, reflect diverse voices and stories—her approach to securing multiple commissioners allowed seven composers to bring their visions to life. “Seven commissioners, seven composers—that’s the holy number,” she says.
Beyond the commissioning process, Slack is passionate about expanding the reach of underrepresented composers. Her Grammy-winning album highlights the often-overlooked work of Florence Price. “People knew her orchestral works, but her vocal pieces were still largely unknown. She should have already won Grammys in her time,” Slack asserts. Her dedication to spotlighting Price’s compositions is not just about personal achievement but about ensuring that Black composers receive the recognition they deserve. “It’s a whole cultural win,” she emphasizes.
For Slack, mastery is just the beginning. “Once you’ve done the work, checked all the boxes, all the requirements, then you get to do whatever you want,” she says. Her approach demonstrates a shift in classical music—one that encourages innovation while maintaining technical excellence.
Slack also reflects on the evolving nature of opera and classical music in the wake of the pandemic. “The pandemic opened up a portal. Artists weren’t just waiting; we created, we built audiences, we expanded our presence,” she says. However, she warns that some institutions are retreating from the progress made in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. “They can roll it back, but they’ll never keep it out. You can’t erase what has already happened. People are not going to forget.”
Looking ahead, Slack is committed to shaping opera’s future. “We don’t need institutions to give us the green light. We just need to keep making art and building our own audiences,” she insists.
As opera continues to navigate these transformative times, artists like Karen Slack are at the forefront. She envisions a classical music world where tradition and innovation coexist, where diverse voices are not just included but celebrated. “The old days are over,” she says. “Let it evolve.”
You can see Karen perform African Queens:
And in opera, concert and other performances:
Check out Karen’s website for more information about tickets!
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