This Little Light of Mine

Created by: Adrienne Danrich

Commissioned by

Cincinnati Opera, premiere 2008

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Duration: 1 hour

Mission Statement

This Little Light of Mine, written and performed over 80 times by EMMY® Award Winning Soprano Adrienne Danrich, is an inventive one- woman musical tribute honoring the ground-breaking careers of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price. Danrich’s storytelling ability, the beauty of her voice, and poignant multi-media images creatively document the lives of these two internationally renowned artists who overcame many racial barriers from the Jim Crow era through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Two courageous women, two incredible voices and one unforgettable, hope filled story (2011 Midwest Emmy Winner-Adrienne Danrich for Outstanding Crafts Achievement for On-Camera Talent – Program Performer/Narrator’, Milwaukee Public Television; 2011 Midwest Emmy Nominee ‘Outstanding Achievement for Arts/Entertainment Programming’; Commissioned by Cincinnati Opera 2007).

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MEDIA

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Reviews

She's Gonna Let It Shine (Urban Milwaukee)

“Danrich’s spinto soprano is deep, expansive and powerful. She was stunning in arias from Puccini’s Turandot and Madame Butterfly, and she is a skilled interpreter of spirituals.”

Adrienne Danrich can really sing. Danrich wrote This Little Light of Mine to tell the stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price through their own recordings, quotes, pictures, and her own interpretations of the arias and spirituals that made them famous. Danrich focuses mostly on the racial barriers that these breached to lead the way for African Americans in this country and in the world of opera.

Adrienne Danrich Shines Bright in "This Little Light of Mine" (Operagasm.com)

“Adrienne Danrich is definitely on my soprano radar as of now. She needs to be on yours.”

Baltimore Concert Opera’s “This Little Light of Mine” is a miracle to behold and a perfect way to recognize Black History Month through the arts this weekend! If you are able to attend tomorrow (Sunday, March 1st), GET THERE.Adrienne Danrich is not only a gifted singer, but also a beautifully articulate speaker on and off the proverbial cuff. The soprano essayed the groundbreaking careers of two towering pioneering black women in classical music: Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price. What was most remarkable about the performance was the way in which she illuminated the determination and fruition of their careers alongside the very real racism that these singer faced on a daily basis. We forget how far we’ve come sometimes…

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