Kellogg to succeed Scholar-in-Residence Naomi André,
who concludes five-year time period in Might 2024
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| Seattle Opera’s new Creative Ambassador, Kenneth Kellogg, as Malcolm X in X: The Life and Occasions of Malcolm X in 2024. © Sunny Martini. |
Normal Director Christina Scheppelmann introduced at this time the appointment of bass Kenneth Kellogg as Seattle Opera’s inaugural Creative Ambassador. Kellogg, who lately accomplished a triumphant run as Malcolm X in X: The Life and Occasions of Malcolm X, takes over for Naomi André, who concludes her impactful five-year time period as Seattle Opera’s first Scholar-in-Residence on the finish of the 2023/24 season. Kellogg begins within the function in Might 2024. “Kenneth has a novel mixture of qualities that makes him an ideal match to function Seattle Opera’s new Creative Ambassador,” mentioned Scheppelmann. “His distinguished singing profession offers him a transparent imaginative and prescient of the trade, his thorough information of historical past informs each side of his work, and he’s dedicated to the transformative energy of music as a group useful resource. We’re fortunate to proceed our relationship with Kenneth on this further capability.”
As Creative Ambassador, Kellogg will function a consultant of Seattle Opera in the neighborhood, participating immediately with audiences and taking part in Seattle Opera occasions. Kellogg may also advise Seattle Opera’s workers and board on the corporate’s season planning, racial fairness initiatives, and group partnerships, at all times with a watch towards making opera an important and significant side of the lives of viewers members throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“Seattle Opera is honored to welcome an artist of Kenneth’s caliber as an Creative Ambassador,” mentioned Dennis Robinson Jr., Seattle Opera’s Director of Packages and Partnerships. “Not solely is Kenneth an outstanding musician, however he’s additionally an inspiring spokesperson for opera and the humanities typically. I look ahead to working with Kenneth on this new capability, and I’m excited for our group to get to know him and his work past the opera stage.”
Audiences could have their first alternative to listen to from Kellogg in a Might 9 Opera Discuss in dialog with Naomi André, the place he’ll share his perspective as a number one voice in opera and chart a vibrant future for the artwork type.
The dialog may also present a chance to replicate on André’s time as Scholar-in-Residence, which Scheppelmann sees as a mannequin for such roles sooner or later. “I’m very grateful to Naomi André for 5 great years as Seattle Opera’s first Scholar-in-Residence,” mentioned Scheppelmann. “Her information and enthusiasm about opera offered constant perception into the artwork type, and she or he was merely a pleasure to work with. We couldn’t have requested for a greater particular person to fill that function.”
For Kellogg, sharing his ardour and love of music with everyone seems to be central to his conception of the function. “After I consider my function as Creative Ambassador, I take into consideration my elementary college instructor,” mentioned Kellogg. “I may at all times see how a lot she beloved music, and that enthusiasm set me on the trail to the place I’m at this time. Music has been such a blessing to my life, and I hope merely to exude the identical infectious spirit that my elementary college instructor shared with me.”
Kellogg’s work with Seattle Opera started in 2021, when he appeared because the Commendatore within the filmed model of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni. In 2022, Kellogg appeared as The Father in Tazewell Thompson and Jeanine Tesori’s Blue, a task that Kellogg has described as “a game-changer” for his life and profession. Kellogg returned in 2023 as Fafner in Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold earlier than taking the stage as civil rights icon Malcolm X in 2024’s “unflinching” (The Seattle Occasions) manufacturing of Anthony Davis’s X: The Life and Occasions of Malcolm X.
Kellogg’s on-stage appearances have been accompanied by work with communities within the Puget Sound area. In February, together with X: The Life and Occasions of Malcolm X, Kellogg labored with incarcerated folks on the Monroe Correctional Complicated, the place he shared his experiences as an opera singer and took part in discussions about Malcolm X’s life and legacy. In 2022, Kellogg appeared alongside fellow solid members from Blue for an Opera Discuss moderated by Classical KING’s Quinton Morris.
Kellogg seems to be ahead to persevering with this group work as Creative Ambassador. “Opera has the ability to be a very community-based artwork type—a spot the place folks can see themselves represented in a larger-than-life area, really feel comfy, and really feel welcomed. Making opera matter on that stage, with each manufacturing we mount, will join us to the humanity of our group.”
