Barbara Smith Conrad: The Diva Rises In "When I Rise"

Legendary soprano Barbara Smith Conrad was in Washington, D.C. Tuesday night for a viewing of the documentary based on her life "When I Rise." Inlet photo is of Smith Conrad in "Aida."Even before she became an accomplished singer, even when she was a young woman and legendary entertainer Harry Belafonte said he could still see the "country" in the girl from Center Point, Texas, opera singer Barbara Smith Conrad was a diva in the truest sense of the word. In the way the word was initially meant to be used -- she is an international opera star.

There always had a regality about her. Even as a young woman. Her poise and maturity were what drew people to her. Her charm and the beauty of her talent drew them in.

That charm, regality and poise was in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, where Smith Conrad was honored at a viewing of a documentary based on her life called "When I Rise" at the National Archives on Pennsylvania Ave.

More after the jump.

Set to air on PBS in February, "When I Rise" tells the story of Smith Conrad being in the first class of African Americans to attend the University of Texas in Austin. There she finds herself in a middle of a national uproar when the young soprano is cast as the romantic lead in the opera "Dido and Aeneas." Smith Conrad was cast as Dido and a white student was cast as Aeneas causing many to protest the "racial mixing" depicted by the UT opera.

Conrad Smith received death threats and even her own state representative used the situation to further his fight to keep segregation as the law of the land. In the end, she was not allowed to perform in the play, and at one point, she even returned to her hometown of Center Point until the fervor died down.

But the story received nationwide attention, catching the eye of singer, actor and Civil Rights Activist Harry Belafonte, who became a looming influence in Smith Conrad's life as a mentor, helping her hone her talents after college, giving her guidance in her career and some of her first breaks on television and stage.

This fostered a life-long friendship where Conrad Smith would go on to say that besides her own parents, Belafonte is one person she would never want to disappoint.

Barbara Smith Conrad in "When I Rise." (Courtesy Photo)The documentary is very affecting as it follows her from that initial heart-break of being cut from "Dido and Aeneas" to her rise as an international superstar in the classical music world. Both a woman of grand theatrics and a sweet, Texas girl, Conrad Smith is full of energy and humor throughout the film. And her moments when she returns to the University of Texas as an adult both inspires the young talent of UT and helps heal old wounds. Directed by Mat Hames, this is a story of forgiveness, but is is also the story of one woman's dream fulfilled, seeing her lifelong ambitions come true on the world stage.

I was fortunate enough to meet Barbara Smith Conrad at the D.C. event as a guest of the viewing. As someone who was raised learning about the sacrifices made by the black men and women who came before me, I was greatly moved. I cried during the documentary. I pleasantly blubbered my way through thanking Smith Conrad for simply being herself (while working in my own Texas roots via my father). And I could not stop smiling. Hearing a story of triumph despite (or in spite) of adversity is always thrilling. Although Smith Conrad came into a world that acted as if it were not ready for her, she told that world it wasn't getting a choice. She was coming and gunning for the top whether the world was ready or not.

There's nothing more awe inspiring than that -- A woman who didn't take "but you're a just a little black girl from Center Point" as an answer to anything.

The event (and documentary) was sponsored by AT&T and actor Jeffrey Wright was the master's of ceremony. BET's CEO Debra Lee and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson hosted the event, while Reps. James Clyburn and Eddie Bernice Johnson honored Smith Conrad's achievements. It was a wonderful event (really can't say enough nice things about it), where I was both moved and entertained. I also got to eat macaroons for the first time in my life and I don't know how I got to nearly 33 years of age without EVER tasting something so delicious.

The documentary viewing at the National Archives was a wonderful way to "pre" kick-off the week of the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference.

Here are some photos from the dessert reception after the viewing:

Barbara Smith Conrad and ... The Snob, me, Danielle Belton! I was so happy to meet her!

Smith Conrad with Essence Washington Correspondent Cynthia Gordy

Smith Conrad with former White House African American media liaison Corey Ealons

Myself and Corey. Corey was the one who was kind enough to invite me to the event. Great guy.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson with Barbara Smith Conrad and BET CEO Debra Lee

I ate so many macaroons it wasn't even funny.

All photos by Danielle Belton

Comments

[rikyrah]

she looks every inch the diva.

thanks for this info, snob.

[David Wise]

The only black opera singer I know is Leontyne Price, the aunt of a former girlfriend of mine. Nice story.

[Missjackson1]

First off...how awesome was that, she looks stunning and I'm certain her story will touch and inspire plenty of people!

Second...your hair is fabulous Snob, my lil' short fro is well on its way!

Third...The first time I had a French macaron was almost 2 years ago, and it changed my freakin' life!

[CharlotteZephyr]

I'm going to definitely check this out -- I love triumph over adversity!

@ David Wise - a couple of comtemporary black opera singers I've heard of are Kathleen Battle and Measha Brueggergosman -- both fantastic

[Mary]

The event looked fabulous. I would live to see and all Black Aida at the Washington Opera with Barbara performing.

[blkgalusa]

Wow!! what a diva!! I love her so much...Her voice is beautiful...I would love to meet her one day...

[James Ian Murdoch]

Superb!

Thanks.

[blkgalusa]

A real diva..Not like what we see today...She had a lot of class and dignity..Currently, it is sad to see young women in the entertainment industry calling themselves a diva and they don't even come close to this woman. I need not mention any names but Barbara Smith-Conrad is a true diva then, and today...I will always have nothing but love, respect and honor for this woman.