and Bess for Decca, hailed by Opera News as one of the best recordings of 2006. In April 2011, Lister reprised her signature role of Bess in a concert production with the Akron Symphony. During August 2011, Lister sang the role of Serena in Porgy and Bess at Tanglewood. Also that year, she performed a program of Gershwin classics with Maestro Tovey at the keyboard in Vancouver, Canada and appeared with him and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Mahler extravaganza (MahlerPlus) in the composer’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Resurrection to a standing ovation. In February 2012, she joined the African American Art Song Alliance at the University of California, Irvine, where she sang the song cycle, "The Wider View" by H. Leslie Adams, as well as the Act II aria, “Lady of the Water,” from "Amistad" by Anthony Davis. The following month she appeared at the Videmus@Festival on the Hill at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she gave a Master Class and performed a tribute concert honoring the distinguished Videmus organization. Additionally, at the request of composer Michael Ching, Ms. Lister recorded his contribution to the Opera America Songbook commissioned to celebrate the opening of the National Opera Center. She then reprised the role of Serena in a concert performance of "Porgy and Bess" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, again under the direction of Maestro Tovey. Ms. Lister continues to appear on a variety of television programs. She recently launched a radio talk show series with noted radio host Doug Llewellyn, and appears regularly on WAMU radio. Personal For many years Lister has served as the national spokesperson for the Negro "Spiritual" Scholarship Foundation Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation, which helps young singers obtain funds to pursue their musical education. In December 2011, Lister accepted the prestigious Victory Award from National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she underwent treatment for an illness several years ago. Owing to the soprano's determination and care at NRH, Lister regained her strength and returned to the stage with renewed vigor. References Mark Swed, "Music Review: Porgy and Bess at the Hollywood Bowl," Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2009 Anthony Tommasini, "Opera Review: Soaring Passions for Beleaguered Denizens of Catfish Row," New York Times, March 5, 2002 Susan Dormady, "Marquita Lister Makes Good," Classical Singer Magazine, April 2006 Susan Dormady Eisenberg, "Coming Home: Marquita Lister," Opera News, October 2009 External links