PAUL A. SMITH (1946) Photo

New York: Np, [1946]. Vintage original 10 x 8″ (25 x 20 cm.) black-and-white photo, with mimeographed text on verso, near fine.

Paul A. Smith was a gifted operatic tenor, but at a time when racism barred people of color from appearing on opera stages. The affixed text points out that “this will be the first time the role [of Verdi’s Otello] has been sung in New York by a Negro [sic]; in fact the first time a Negro has appeared as a star in grand opera here.”

Smith went on to a distinguished career as a choral conductor and professor of music and choral studies in California.

Out of stock