Grace Bumbry (The Black Venus) introduced by Aretha Franklin at 2009 Kennedy Center Honors

Courtesy of The Kennedy Center and CBS
2009 Kennedy Center Honors: Grace Bumbry (The Black Venus)
Legendary opera singer Grace Bumbry broke down racial barriers and set standards in a genre, where during the early years of her career, she was one of very few minorities.

American opera singer Grace Bumbry made her operatic debut in Paris in 1960 at the age of 23 as Amneris in "Aida." "Back in those days, you felt as if you were being given a lesson," she says of the all-important exposure to European cultures. Bumbry, along with Bruce Springsteen, Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro and Dave Brubeck, is an honoree at this year's Kennedy Center Honors awards.
Stella Boda

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• Aretha Franklin
• grace Bumbry
• the
• black
• Venus

[georgerannie]

Brava Grace and Aretha. 

[bleachbred]

Grace Bumbry is fascinating!

[curt349]

Grace didn't look 2 enthuse that was Aretha coming out

[baritonebynight]

To me she IS Amneris. No others come close.

[waterfordwinstons]

Thank you Brava Diva

[bigblatino]

Thank you very much for uploading this!!!!!

[tchaiket1]

"no you didn't, girlfriend!"