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PRESS RELEASE
Shuman Public Relations
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SUSAN GRAHAM TO HEADLINE CARLISLE FLOYD CENTENNIAL CONCERT AT CARNEGIE HALL ON JUNE 20
Graham joins a distinguished roster of leading American opera voices including
Gabriella Reyes, Ryan McKinny, Edward Nelson, and Reginald Smith, Jr.
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NEW YORK, NY (February 24, 2026) — Internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Susan Graham has been added as a headlining artist for the Carlisle Floyd Centennial concert, a landmark tribute honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of Carlisle Floyd. The performance takes place at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Graham will sing a scene from Floyd’s rarely performed The Sojourner and Mollie Sinclair, one of the composer’s few operas written for a mezzo-soprano lead.
Widely regarded as one of the most distinguished interpreters of American opera on today’s stages, Graham’s addition marks a major artistic highlight of this centennial tribute to one of the defining voices of American opera. Known for her commanding stage presence and advocacy of American repertoire, she brings a deep artistic connection to Floyd’s legacy and to the broader tradition of storytelling in American lyric theater. Her career has long intersected with the operatic lineage Floyd helped establish. She is closely associated with contemporary American opera, notably originating the role of Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie, a mentee of Floyd who will serve as host for the evening. That landmark work continues the dramatic, vernacular tradition Floyd championed, underscoring the natural affinity between Graham’s repertoire and Floyd’s enduring influence on American opera. Graham's appearance is made possible with generous support from Lawrence A. Kern.
Presented as part of the Carlisle Floyd Centennial, the June 20 concert brings together leading artists to celebrate the composer’s legacy, showcasing works that reflect his deep engagement with Southern life and literature and his defining contributions to American opera. The program highlights signature moments from Floyd’s most celebrated operas, emphasizing his gift for combining literary storytelling with expressive vocal writing. In addition to Graham’s performance, Reginald Smith, Jr. will sing “Pilgrimage,” a cantata for baritone and orchestra, soprano Gabriella Reyes will perform “Ain’t It a Pretty Night” from Susannah, baritone Edward Nelson will present “We All Come Out of the Earth” from Willie Stark, and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny will perform “Rucker’s Sermon” from Cold Sassy Tree.
Further reflecting Floyd’s lifelong commitment to mentoring young singers, the concert features choruses from Florida State University and University of Houston, institutions where Floyd taught and shaped generations of opera artists underscoring the educational legacy that remains central to his influence.
The concert will be conducted by Christopher James Ray, a former student and mentee of Floyd and Executive Director of the Carlisle Floyd Centennial, the national initiative organizing performances, educational programs, and archival projects throughout 2026 to celebrate the composer’s legacy.
The Carlisle Floyd Centennial is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the composer’s legacy through performance, scholarship, and education. The Centennial works in partnership with opera companies, orchestras, universities, libraries, and publishers, including Houston Grand Opera, Boosey & Hawkes, the University of Houston, Florida State University, and South Caroliniana Library. For more information about the Carlisle Floyd Centennial and performances in 2026, visit carlislefloyd.org.
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Carnegie Hall Centennial Concert generously sponsored by Lawrence A. Kern (Susan Graham), Sallie and Dubose Ausley (Florida State University choir), Patrick F. Taylor Foundation and Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation (University of Houston choir), Gordon P. Getty, Jan Serr and John Shannon (Christopher James Ray), Ruth and Les Akers (Gabriella Reyes), Martha and Jeremy Solomon (Edward Nelson), Heidi Munzinger and John Shott (Ryan McKinny), Mrs. Roger Hanahan, Johnson Flanagan Fund at the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Clark Bason, Sylvan Corazzi, Nancy & David Kitchin, Anita & Gernot Köhler, Eerie Mills & Tom Rescigno, Anne & Barry Munitz, Mary & Tom Patton, The Perry Family Foundation, Sydney Rhame Janney, The Kozeliski Family, and Susan Hensley.
CF100 generously sponsored by Sallie & Dubose Ausley, Mark Adamo & John Corigliano, Donald Blais, Carol Franc Buck Foundation, Jack Calhoun, Samantha Cohen, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Sylvan Corazzi, Kip Cranna, Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation, Carol & Dixon Doll, Gordon P. Getty, David Gockley, Stephen E. Heiman, Jerry Henry, Susan A. Hensley, Leslie & George Hume Fund, Sydney & Don Janney, Johnson Flanagan Fund at the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Mary Keenan, Lawrence A. Kern, Anita & Gernot Köhler, The Kozeliski Family, Michael McGinley, Todd R. Miller, Heidi Munzinger & John Shott, Anne & Barry Munitz, Mary & Tom Patton, The Perry Family Foundation, Inc., Delories Richerson, Ellen Schlaefer, Jan Serr & John Shannon, Martha & Jeremy Solomon, The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, Wendy Tripodi, Francesca Zambello & Faith Gay, as well as anonymous donors.
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About Susan Graham
Susan Graham, hailed as “an artist to treasure” by The New York Times, is among the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos of her generation, with a repertoire spanning four centuries of opera and concert works. She rose rapidly to international prominence following her professional debut, becoming equally renowned for Mozart, French opera, and contemporary American works. Her career is closely linked to new opera in the United States, most notably through her creation of Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking, a role written specifically for her.
A regular presence at the Metropolitan Opera, Graham has also appeared at leading stages worldwide including the Paris Opéra, Santa Fe Opera, and major concert venues across Europe and North America. She is widely recognized as one of the foremost interpreters of French vocal repertoire and was named Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government for her contributions to French music and culture.
In recent seasons, Graham has continued to balance opera, concert, and new works. Highlights include appearances with the San Francisco Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra of St. Luke’s; performances at the Metropolitan Opera; and the premiere of Richard Danielpour’s A Standing Witness, written for her. Her enduring commitment to American opera, mentorship, and artistic leadership continues to shape the field today.
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June 20, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.
Carnegie Hall | Stern Auditorium
CARLISLE FLOYD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION CONCERT
Jake Heggie, host
Christopher James Ray, conductor
Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano
Gabriella Reyes, soprano
Edward Nelson, baritone
Reginald Smith Jr., baritone
Ryan McKinny, bass-baritone
Florida State University and University of Houston choirs
CARLISLE FLOYD
In Celebration
Pilgrimage
"Aint' it a pretty night" from Susannah
"It Is Done: the war is over and we who are left endure" from The Passion of Jonathan Wade
"We all come out of the earth" from Willie Stark
“Dougald, I would speak with thee” from The Sojourner and Mollie Sinclair
"Rucker's Sermon" from Cold Sassy Tree
Tickets start at $30 and are available at carnegiehall.org, 212-247-7800, or at the box office located at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue.
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