The Phenomenal Woman

International superstar soprano Takesha Meshé Kizart-Thomas makes her Pittsburgh debut in this one-night-only concert of opera, art song, jazz, and more. Praised by critics worldwide for her vocally compelling performances, Kizart-Thomas brings her versatility as a classical, jazz, soul, and pop vocal soloist to this program celebrating the significant contributions of women artists. Kizart-Thomas’s voice has been described by The New York Times as “powerful, lustrous, silky, caramel-hued, wielding impressive ease and elegant control.”

This unforgettable performance will feature arias honoring the dramatic heroines of the opera stage portrayed by such artists as Shirley Verrett, Leontyne Price, and Jessye Norman, jazz standards popularized by the “First Lady of Song” Ella Fitzgerald, art songs by contemporary Black women composers, and new pieces commissioned and created by Kizart-Thomas. Presented in the intimate setting of Oakland’s Mellon Institute Auditorium, this concert is a powerful testament to the women who shaped music during the 20th century.

For the second half of the program, dedicated to jazz and contemporary music, Kizart-Thomas will be joined by a jazz trio.