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NEW YORK CITY—In honor of the Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. holiday, Opera Exposures presents “The Story
of Elizabeth Jennings: 100 Years Before Rosa Parks” at St.
Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
The 3 p.m. recital featuring two
world-renowned opera singers will celebrate the remarkable
life of a 19th-century hidden figure.
In 1854, Jennings was on her way to church in
Manhattan when she boarded a segregated street car. The
conductor attempted several times to physically remove her,
but Jennings resisted. Finally, police officers ejected her
from the street car.
“The authorities had no idea who they were
discriminating against that day,” says Edna Greenwich,
founder and director of Opera Exposures. “Jennings didn’t
just sit down. She literally fought to take a seat to stand
up for justice.”
Artists will perform classical music and
spirituals inspired by Jennings, who successfully sued the
Third Avenue Railroad Company, which ended its practice of
racial discrimination.
Paying tribute will be featured soprano Nia
Drummond, featured tenor Edward Washington II and Jonathan
Cameron Kelly on piano. Anthony
Turner will serve as moderator.
Opera Exposures is a nonprofit performing
arts organization launched in 2004 to present seasoned
professionals and young artists in accessible venues at
affordable prices to reach a broader audience. “We strive to
highlight forgotten stories from our past and honor those
contributions in song,” says Greenwich whose mantra is
“Everyone loves opera, they just don’t know it yet.”
St. Marks is located at 131 E. 10th Street on
the Lower East Side. Check Eventbrite to purchase tickets
($30) and/or make donations.
For more information, contact:
Stephanie Dawson
Russell
Associate Director, Opera Exposures
(937) 207-1311
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