Saturday, September 16, 2017

Portia White

Andy | Saturday, September 16, 2017 | Best Blogger Tips
Located on a utility box in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Unfortunately the year of death needs to be corrected to 1968. Portia May White, contralto and teacher born 24 June 1911 in Truro, NS; died 13 February 1968 in Toronto, Ont. She broke through the colour barrier to become the first Black Canadian concert singer to win international acclaim. Considered one of the best classical singers of the 20th century, her voice was described by one critic as “a gift from heaven,” and she was often compared to the celebrated African American contralto Marian Anderson. Portia was named a “person of national historic significance” by the Government of Canada in 1995.

12 comments:

  1. A nice reminder but something more worthy must also exist I hope.

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  2. I remember her name but have never listened to here voice.

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  3. ...I will need to head over to YouTube and give her a listen.

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  4. That is a. beautiful portrait honoring an important artist. It certainly improves that utility box.

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  5. It's well done. I think like S.C., this would do well as a mural on a larger surface.

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  6. How nice to pay tribute to such a talented lady.

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  7. I think she deserves more than a utility box, and it's too bad the date is wrong, but I'm glad that she's getting some recognition!

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  8. A nice tribute to a talented singer. It definitely makes the utility box more attractive.

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  9. An excellent portrait--- even on the box. I need to hear her.

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  10. It's a nice portrait. Sadly, the location could be a little better in honoring her deserved stature.

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  11. That 5 could easily be made into a 6. Maybe the error will somehow be brought to the artist's attention. A lot easier task than the sculptor faced on MLK, Jr's. memorial. :-)

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