Pages Navigation Menu

Limmie Pulliam: From Kennett to The Met

Posted by

Limmie Pulliam: From Kennett to The Met

Introduction to Limmie Pulliam. 0:55 sec. Interview: Raymond Elman + Cindy Sadler. Post-Production: Lee Skye Recorded via Zoom.  12/18/23, Miami + Kennett, MO.

 

 

Operatic tenor LIMMIE PULLIAM grew up the son of a preacher in the small town of Kennett, Missouri (pop. 11,000), which has proven to be a fertile environment for other musical talent such as Sheryl Crow.  Though Pulliam demonstrated the quality of his voice in the gospel choir of his father’s church, he was introduced to opera by his high school music teacher, who singled out Pulliam to be the beneficiary of a cassette recording by Luciano Pavarotti.  Pulliam was immediately hooked on opera and stepped out on the path that ultimately led him to perform the lead role of Radamès in Verdi’s “Aida” at the New York Metropolitan Opera.

Pulliam graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory, where he was taught and mentored by the late Richard Miller.

In 2024, Pulliam will be performing the lead role of Canio in “Pagliacci” for the Florida Grand Opera at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (Jan. 27-30), and at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (Feb. 8, Feb. 10)

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 7 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:  0:37 sec.  

Where did you grow up, and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

DEVELOP A VOICE:  1:11 min.

Growing up as the son of a preacher, was there pressure on you to conform to certain ideals?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   1:18 min.

Are the techniques for singing Black gospel music and singing opera similar?

 

COMPULSION:   2:44 min.

When did you realize that your voice was special?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:   3:22 min.

When I was in high school I don’t remember our music teacher introducing us to opera. Were you singled out for that experience?

 

UNDERSTANDS ARTISTS’ NEEDS:   4:14 min.

What was your experience at Oberlin College & Conservatory?

 

COMMUNITY VALUES:   1:37 min.

Do other singers come to you for advice about the business aspects of singing opera?

 

CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY:   3:19 min.

Were your parents supportive of you moving from the church to opera?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   2:41 min

The shared characteristics of opera, gospel, mariachi and such is very interesting and compelling.

 

COMMUNITY VALUES:   2:39 min

How did your friends in Kennett, Missouri react as you pursued a career singing opera?

 

COLLABORATION:   1:59 min. 

Are you and Sheryl Crow relatively the same age?

 

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED:   5:12 min.

What were some of the highlights for you in becoming a professional after you graduated from Oberlin?

 

PERSEVERANCE FURTHERS:   6:21 min

Did you discover that your voice had changed during your time away from opera?

 

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED:   3:48 min.

Talk about performing some of your signature roles — like your upcoming Grand Florida Opera performance of Canio in “Pagliacci.”

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   3:15 min. 

Let’s talk about your debut album, “Witness.”

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:   1:02 min

Who were some of your biggest role models and influencers?

 

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED:   1:32 min.

What are some of the challenges performing the lead role of Canio in “Pagliacci”?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:   2:20 min.

Tell us about your history-making moment when you became the first Black man to perform the role of Radames in “Aida” on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera.

 

EMPATHY:   1:28 min.

What’s your favorite movie?