ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield was the first documented African American opera singer.

Born into slavery in 1819, she broke barriers.

But even today, there are still very few Black artists singing and composing opera music. That’s part of the reason why a St. Pete opera singer is hosting a special performance this weekend. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Maiya Stevenson launched her company, Afro Opera in 2017

  • This is the first year Afro Opera is hosting a Black History Month showcase called, 'A message from the Roots'

  •  A classically trained African American pianist, Stevenson and another Black opera singer will perform at the showcase

  • The showcase is Saturday, Feb. 24 at The Cathedral of St. Peter

Maiya Stevenson, hosting the event, is bringing a what she calls ‘A Message From the Roots’, with her first Black History Month showcase.

It’s being held at The Cathedral of St. Peter, located at 140 4th Street North in St. Petersburg, FL. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with extended access until 8:30 p.m. for V.I.P. guests.

“What they can expect is to one, just be shocked because a lot of people see me, this 5’1’’ little girl walking around but carrying this massive voice inside of her,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson was born and raised in the Childs Park neighborhood. She graduated from Gibbs High School and later Florida A&M University. Her voice has taken her to Carnegie Hall, Bolivia and now, back to where it all started.

“I was born and raised in St. Pete, grew up, went to summer camp in Childs Park every summer,” she said. “So, it would just mean a lot to me for my community to stand up no matter of what genre of music I’m doing. Because I’m not just doing it for me, I’m doing it for them.”

Stevenson said when she launched her business called Afro Opera, her goal was to expose the Black community to opera music.

“When you think Afro you think Black, you think empowered and then I sing opera so, Black woman singing opera. Afro Opera,” she said.

She said having some influential artists to look up to helped.

“There are Black opera singers who were a major influence on me singing and definitely number one being Leotyne Price. She is my shero,” she said.

When she isn’t singing the house down, Stevenson is teaching at the elementary school where she grew up. With her students mostly unaware of the powerful punch her voice is packing.

“I never really sing for my kids like that because when I’m teaching, it’s more about them,” she said.

But now she’s inviting her students and anyone else who wants to hear her perform Saturday.

“It’s very rare to see an African American classically trained artist and you get to see one at my show who flew all the way down from St. Louis just to perform for the people that are coming,” she said. “I also incorporate spiritual songs that they’ve seen in church almost every Sunday or every Black church I attended.

“So, let them know I may be singing opera but I’m still connected to the type of music you listen to, I just sing it a different way.”

Singing in a different way with help from a classically trained African American pianist along with another Black opera singer. She’s hoping this kind of exposure to her community will ring louder than her highest note.

“I’m trying to make a stand for us that we belong in these types of rooms,” she said.

For more information visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-message-from-the-roots-tickets-763702403447