Denyce Graves Retires from Opera Stage, Directs Treemonisha

Denyce Graves, the renowned mezzo-soprano, gave her final performance as Maria in Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera in January 2026, retiring after a 40-year career. During intermission, Met general manager Peter Gelb presented her with a plaque to be installed in List Hall, where aspiring artists audition. Graves, 61, plans to focus on directing and her foundation promoting diversity in vocal arts. In March 2026, she directed the world premiere of Treemonisha by Scott Joplin for Washington National Opera, relocated from the Kennedy Center to George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium due to political tensions with the Trump administration. The production featured new orchestrations by Damien Sneed and a libretto by Kyle Bass. Graves's career included her Met debut as Carmen in 1995, performances with the Three Tenors, and appearances on Sesame Street. She sang at George W. Bush's inauguration and Ruth Bader Ginsburg's funeral. Graves was born in Washington, D.C., in 1964 and studied at Oberlin College. Her retirement comes amid Trump administration attacks on Black history and the arts, including the firing of Kennedy Center board members and dismantling of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.