Opera Baltimore has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) in support of “Voices in Solidarity: Baltimore’s Black and Jewish Operatic History.” This is a tourism drive celebrating Baltimore’s intertwined Black and Jewish cultures through music, conversation, and public educational activities, all in ways uniquely reflective of the city.
The “Voices in Solidarity” project is one of eight Baltimore-based initiatives recognized by MHAA this year, and one of 91 across Maryland receiving a combined $4.6 million in matching grants.
“History is an active force for promoting economic development and building strength in our communities,” said Gov. Wes Moore. This project exemplifies the connection, with the goal of fostering cultural unity while bringing visitors to Baltimore through immersive programming at well-known attractions in the city.
Opera Baltimore will collaborate with the Jewish Museum of Maryland and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in several phases to bring the “Voices in Solidarity” project to life. There will be a concert featuring music by Black and Jewish composers exploring themes of migration, resilience, and cultural exchange. Community conversations will be hosted in historic venues like Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and Shake & Bake Family Fun Center. In addition to public learning sessions connection opera, jazz, and Jewish musical traditions, there will be performances and events highlighting the Jonestown neighborhood’s layered history and other cultural landmarks in Baltimore.
Soprano Sarah Duchovnay, a grandchild of Holocaust survivors and baritone Daniel Rich, a Baltimore native raised in Liberty Heights are among the lead artists. They both bring personal and historical perspectives to “Voices in Solidarity.” Dr. Nicole Steinberg is the Cultural Programs Coordinator and plays a key role in leading community partnerships in the project.
“We are deeply grateful to MHAA for recognizing the urgency and impact of Voices in Solidarity,” said Julia Cooke, president and general director of Opera Baltimore. “This project not only honors the past but uses the power of opera to move communities toward a more connected and empathetic future.”
“Voices in Solidarity: Baltimore’s Black and Jewish Operatic History” launches in late 2025. The project begins with research and development, followed by rehearsals, preview performances, community dialogue events, and a full concert production in 2026. Opera Baltimore is also exploring the possibility of touring and bringing Baltimore’s stories to audiences nationwide.
For more information or to get involved, visit Opera Baltimore’s website.
