Poster Minnesota Opera's 'La Traviata'
Nicole Cabell as Violetta Valéry in Minnesota Opera’s production of 'La Traviata.'
Dan Norman
Rhapsody in Black

Soprano Nicole Cabell is a star on the rise

Rhapsody in Black - Nicole Cabell
DOWNLOAD

Soprano Nicole Cabell will be the first to tell you that a great career doesn’t happen overnight. She burst onto the opera scene in 2006 with an award-winning recording on the Decca label and her singing debut at The BBC Proms. For each of her successes, there were failures. For example, she won the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Award, but just a few months earlier she failed to advance to the finals of the Metropolitan Opera auditions. Now she performs worldwide as a rising star, including at the Metropolitan Opera.

Musical selections from Nicole Cabell

“Ô Nuit Divine” from Romeo and Juliet

Matthew White joins Nicole Cabell as the headliners in the Cincinnati Opera's 2019 production of Romeo and Juliet. Listen to their rehearsal of the famous balcony scene duet,"Ô Nuit Divine."

“Sempre Libera” from La Traviata

In the Minnesota Opera’s 2019 production of La Traviata, Cabel was cast as the enchanting Violetta who gives up her glamorous life to live with her devoted lover in the quiet countryside. In this scene, Violetta hosts a party where Alfredo woos her. After the party, she
laughs off the idea of true love and vows to live for pleasure.

“Fra Gli Amplessi in Pochi Istanti“ from Così Fan Tutte

Cabel was cast as Fiordiligi in the San Francisco Opera’s 2021 production of Così Fan Tutte. In this duet, "Fra Gli Amplessi in Pochi Istanti," Fiordiligi plans to escape her odd new suitor once and for all. She disguises herself in a military uniform to join her fiancé on the front lines of the war. As she imagines the plan going through she starts to think about what it will be like to reunite with her love.

Credits

Host: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu

Producer: Dan Nass

Writers: Andrea Blain and Scott Blankenship

Additional music selections: Jeffrey Yelverton

Executive Producer: Julie Amacher

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Rhapsody in Black Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Rhapsody in Black Episodes

Roberta Flack was the shepherd of a new R&B sound

Roberta Flack was the shepherd of a new R&B sound

Pop artist Roberta Flack, who died Monday at 88, grew up classically trained and continued to love the music, even when revolutionizing the R&B scene. Find out more about her life in this episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

5:00
Meet Vernon Neal, the host of 'Rhapsody in Black'
Billie Holiday and 'Strange Fruit'

Billie Holiday and 'Strange Fruit'

Jazz singer Billie Holiday discovered “Strange Fruit,” Abel Meropol’s protest song against lynching In 1939. It became her closing number at all of her performances at Café Society and the best selling record of her career. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
Paul Robeson brought spirituals and Black history to the main stage
5:00
Gil Scott-Heron's message for the 1970s — and today
5:00
Violist Eliesha Nelson honors the music and memory of composer George Walker
5:00
Hazel Scott 'jazzed up the classics' and stood up against segregation

Hazel Scott 'jazzed up the classics' and stood up against segregation

Pianist Hazel Scott was billed as ‘The Darling of Café Society’ due to her ability to sell out shows with her masterful improvisations. But her music was heavily intertwined with politics as she spoke up continually against segregation. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

5:00
Margaret Bonds and the words of Langston Hughes

Margaret Bonds and the words of Langston Hughes

Margaret Bonds dealt with racism as she broke barriers for future generations of Black women composers. Find out how the words and friendship of renowned Black novelist Langston Hughes helped her with that struggle in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
Clarinetist Anthony McGill promotes connection, equality and justice

Clarinetist Anthony McGill promotes connection, equality and justice

Anthony McGill is the principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic, the first Black musician to hold a principal chair in the orchestra’s 178-year history. He also has used the platform to promote racial equity in classical music. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
Carlos Simon's 'Good News Mass'

Carlos Simon's 'Good News Mass'

Carlos Simon is a Grammy-nominated composer and an activist for Black and brown representation in classical music. His latest work, ‘Good News Mass,’ is unlike anything he’s done before. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Rhapsody in Black

Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Subscribe to the podcast:  Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicTuneInRSS Feed

About Rhapsody in Black
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00