Posted on Sunday, 17th July 2011 by Declan Palazzi
Austinite Mat Hames powerful documentary When I Rise, which chronicles the amazing story of opera singer Barbara Conrad, is now available for free on-demand viewing on AT&T U-verse Movies.
Conrad, an African-American, found herself in the middle of a troubling civil rights controversy in 1957 when she was ousted from the lead role in a University of Texas music department opera. After completing her degree at UT, Conrad moved to New York City, where she sang with the Metropolitan Opera.
UT honored Conrad in the 80s with a Distinguished Alumni award, and in 2009 she was honored with a resolution by the Texas Legislature.
Statesman arts writerJeanne Claire van Ryzin spoke with Conrad last year around the time When I Rise played to rave reviews at SXSW.
From that piece, which can be read here:
High on my list is that this film enlighten people. This cancer has not been eradicated as of yet, and we keep making the same mistakes over and over again, Conrad said. Why keep making the same mistakes over and over again? Why cant we move past this place where everything is determined by race?
Why cant it be about getting to know each other better? Maybe we can reach out to each other more. The awkwardness comes from not having enough rehearsal time with each other. Folks are just folks.
Tags: Movies, Now Available
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