Behind the Scenes

QUEENS OF SOUL

In the 1960s, Chicago disc jockey Pervis Spann dubbed legendary singer Aretha Franklin the “Queen of Soul.” Yet Franklin isn’t the only artist who has generously contributed to the legacy of soul and R&B music; many women have earned honorific nicknames for their participation in the evolution of these genres. Tina Turner became widely known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Patti Labelle as the “Godmother of Soul,” and Whitney Houston’s titles include the “Queen of R&B,” “Queen of Pop,” and “Queen of Ballads.” These women laid the foundation that inspired a whole new generation of female music royalty, like Alicia Keys (Queen of R&B) and Adele (Queen of Hearts), who are quick to credit their success to their predecessors.

The creative team from Schirmer Theatrical and Greenberg Artists sought to develop a symphonic experience fusing the powerful female soul singers of the past with the current reigning divas: a production meant to inspire, excite, and comfort. Queens of Soul premiered in February 2019 with the Rochester Philharmonic, featuring solo vocalists Brie Cassil, Melissa McMillan, and Kamilah Marshall.

Since its debut, Queens of Soul has been performed with orchestras throughout the US and Canada, including concerts in Toronto, Virginia, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Dayton, Dallas, Hartford, and Fort Worth.

Performance with the Toronto Symphony (left to right: Melissa McMillan, Shayna Steele, and Brie Cassil)