In a historic moment, the 2023 US Open men’s singles championship on September 10th featured a captivating performance by GRAMMY Award-winning opera baritone Will Liverman. Joined by the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and its music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the event marked the first-ever appearance of these renowned artists at the US Open.
On the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium court, Liverman, celebrated for his vocal prowess, delivered a mesmerizing rendition of “America the Beautiful/Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The arrangement, expertly crafted by John Sheppard and Tetsuro Hoshii for voice, piano, and brass, showcased Liverman’s exceptional talent.
Accompanying Liverman and Nézet-Séguin were talented musicians from the Met orchestra, including trumpeter Billy Hunter, French horn players Brad Gemeinhardt and Anne Scharer, and trombonists Sasha Romero and Weston Sprott.
Liverman’s journey to this momentous occasion has been filled with remarkable achievements. He made a groundbreaking debut at the Met in the 2021/22 season, portraying the lead role in Terence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” — the first opera by a Black composer in the company’s history, and the recipient of the 2023 GRAMMY for Best Opera Recording.
Furthermore, Liverman is set to dazzle audiences with his portrayal of the title role in Anthony Davis’s “X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” this coming November. His own opera, “The Factotum,” premiered at the Lyric Opera of Chicago earlier this year.
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Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a GRAMMY Award-winning conductor and the Met Opera’s music director since the 2018/19 season, has conducted over 170 performances during his tenure. He also serves as the music director for the Philadelphia Orchestra and is known for his outstanding contributions to the world of classical music.
