All-Black opera pays tribute to Canadian singing legend Portia White

An all-Black opera is exploring the life of Nova Scotia singer Portia White, who is known as the first Black Canadian concert singer to become internationally famous, but whose legacy some say has been erased from the country's collective memory.

The Canadian Opera Company Theatre is debuting Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White in Toronto this weekend, with performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including a Saturday live-stream presentation for viewers outside of the city at 2 p.m. ET. 

"She's arguably one of the most important figures we have, as far as a Black classical artist in Canada," said Sean Mayes, the opera's composer and conductor.

"It's something that we should really be proud of. She was a remarkable figure."

The opera's producers say Aportia Chryptych will evoke memories of the past as a form of political resistance. They encouraged the audience to wear white for opening night to honour the singer's name, life and legacy.

Mayes hopes the show plays a small part in ensuring White's legacy becomes common knowledge for Canadians today.

Born in Truro, N.S., and raised in Halifax, White wowed audiences in the 1940s, making her concert debut at Toronto's Eaton Auditorium in 1941 and going on to perform classical European music and African American spirituals on tours around the world.

Her performances were critically acclaimed, with The New York Times calling her voice "remarkable" and a Toronto Evening Telegram critic writing that her singing was "a gift from heaven."

She won numerous awards and also acted in CBC TV series The Crucible. One of her final public appearances was a special command performance for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1964.

In 1995, the Canadian government declared White a person of national historic significance.

Aportia Chryptych honours her contributions and, Mayes said, also tries "to illuminate all of the different ways in which Black artistry has contributed to music."

To that end, the opera has elements of romanticism and baroque, and expands further beyond the classical world with elements of R&B, rap, spoken word, gospel and neo-soul.

Portia White's niece, Sheila White, says she is "exceptionally proud" of her aunt's continuing legacy, and remembers the late singer always having a huge smile and bringing small gifts when she came to visit.

While White received numerous honours both within her lifetime and posthumously, Sheila says this weekend's production is special.