Dra Mu Opera Company Presents Henri Elkan, conductor presents Aida
Item
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Title
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Dra Mu Opera Company Presents Henri Elkan, conductor presents Aida
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Description
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Concert program; during intermission Raymond Pace Alexander, JD paid special tribute to Conductor Henri Elkan (Schloss 1949).
The Dra-Mu Opera Company, "Dra-Mu", was a significant Black opera company in Philadelphia, active during the mid-20th century. Co-founded by Raymond L. Smith and Henri Elkan (Van Atta 1980), the company provided a platform for Black artists to perform operatic works at a time when opportunities in mainstream opera were limited due to racial discrimination.
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Although the Company achieved notable success, its impact was largely regional, and many talented artists built careers performing for local audiences without gaining national recognition. Information about them often exists only in local print sources, making it less accessible online. Below, the highlighted cast and crew are those who earned reputations in Philadelphia and beyond.
Henri Elkan (d. 1980) - A Belgian, was the Dra-Mu's conductor (Philadelphia Inquirer 1955). He came to the states to play viola with the Philadelphia Orchestra, left to conduct the Philadelphia Ballet Company as well as guest maestro in various symphonies throughout the United States (Philadelphia Inquirer 1957). Mr. Elkan also conducted performances such as Gounod's Faust in English at Drexel University, showcasing the company's commitment to bringing classical operatic works to diverse audiences.
Nadia Chilkovsky Nahumck (1908 - 2006) - was a pioneering modern-dance educator. She founded the Philadelphia Dance Academy in 1944, leading it for 30 years and welcoming Black students. A disciple of Isadora Duncan and student of Martha Graham, she also taught at Curtis, Temple, and Swarthmore, wrote books, choreographed more than 70 dances, and developed a federally funded school curriculum. Born in Kiev and raised in Philadelphia, she remained active into her 90s (Inquirer.com Archives 2006).
Victor Andoga (c.1878–1969) was a Russian-born baritone and stage director. Educated in private Italian schools and at the University of Moscow, he performed in major European opera houses before turning to directing. Married to an American, he emigrated from Paris to the U.S. at age 48 (Birmingham News, 1935). In America he built a dual career as a respected voice instructor (Sheboygan Press, 1969) and as a stage director, securing an early post with Radio City Music Hall, NYC.
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Rights
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This work is not in copyright, but commercial uses of this digital representation are limited. For more information, contact blockson@temple.edu and see http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-NC/1.0/
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Format
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Text
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Language
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eng
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Contributor
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Temple University Libraries, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
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Identifier
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Dra Mu Opera Company Phila. Branch of National Association Of... Folder 10 The Dra Mu Company Presents Aida
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Date Created
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1949
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Is Part Of
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Dra Mu Opera Company Philadelphia Branch
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Subject
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Black people
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Operas
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Conductors (music)
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Concert programs
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Performance artists
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Theatrical producers and directors
