Wilberforce Professor in Dayton Opera Production of Macbeth

Tifton Graves, Wilberforce University Professor of Voice, will be performing in Dayton Opera’s premiere of Guiseppe Verdi’s Macbeth. As a member of the lush chorus, Professor Graves will be ringing out as a tenor in the finales of acts I and II, the assassin’s chorus, the refugee chorus, and the victory chorus.

In comments related to his performance in the production, Graves noted, “This is a fantastic experience and it will open more doors for Wilberforce University to be connected with the Dayton arts community. I am pleased to be a part of this renowned cast of musicians and I am highly impressed with The Opera Company’s premiere of Macbeth.” Graves added, “With the story of Shakespeare, the music of Verdi, and a great cast, this will be an event that no one will want to miss!”

Graves has been a professor at Wilberforce University for one year and has made a deep impact on the continued success and growth of the music program. Teaching voice, Italian and German Diction, Vocal Literature, and Sight Singing, Graves has elevated the vocal major. In addition to his courses, Graves presented a faculty recital in September of 2007 that featured music by Debussy, Mozart, and Gershwin. He is currently directing opera scenes from Le Nozze di Figaro by Amadeus Mozart that will be presented by Wilberforce students in April.

Graves’ connection to the Dayton Opera is the continuation of a budding relationship between Wilberforce University and the Opera Company over the past year. Some recent and upcoming collaborations include two Wilberforce students performing in its 2007 season productions of H.M.S. Pinafore and Samson and Delilah; Jeremy Winston, Ray Charles Chair of Sacred and Choral Music was elected to the Dayton Opera’ Board of Directors in July 2007; and The Wilberforce University Choir will perform on their Star Gala on May 2nd and 4th, 2008 with Metropolitan Opera Star, Angela Brown.

Please come out to support Professor Graves as he takes the stage on Saturday, January 19th at 8pm; Friday, January 25th at 8pm; or Sunday, January 27th at 3pm at The Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. For ticket information and upcoming performances, please go to www.daytonopera.org