Original image of promotional bookmark picturing Kelli O’Hara, Joyc DiDonato and Renée Fleming by There Stands the Glass.
Friends and family remain mystified by my embrace of opera. The widespread assumption that the form is the exclusive domain of wealthy elitists is pervasive- and deservedly so. Yet until approximately 100 years ago, opera was a ubiquitous form of popular music. The music didn’t change. Instead, the ways in which the music was presented became cost-prohibitive and classist. Joyce DiDonato is aware of opera’s image problem. The celebrity soprano dedicated a significant portion of her energy in 2022 to audience outreach. Without compromising her artistry, DiDonato’s concerts in support of the glorious album Eden and her other projects rendered opera relevant and accessible. Harmonious with my own attitude, DiDonato’s initiatives make her There Stands the Glass’ Artist of the Year.
Honorable mention: Mary Halvorson, Moor Mother and Sault. The previous winners of the Artist of the Year designation are Pat Metheny (2021) and Bad Bunny (2020).