(Enlarge) Baritone Lester Lynch takes center stage with the Columbia Pro Cantare for a "Tribute to Paul Robeson" May 2.

Paul Robeson forcefully made a career for himself as a versatile singer, actor and political activist at a time when blacks were still contending with segregated conditions in the first half of the 20th century.

Considering his towering stature as a cultural figure, he's not discussed all that often in 21st-century society.

The Columbia Pro Cantare and baritone Lester Lynch will be singing the praises of Paul Robeson in a recital program this Saturday, May 2, in The Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts.

"There is a generation that doesn't know about him, so we want to shine a light on him," says Columbia Pro Cantare music director Frances Motyca Dawson. "This is an opportunity to hear a cross section of material that Robeson is known for. Robeson was a man of fierce dignity who needs to be celebrated."

Robeson (1898-1976) had a life that speaks to black accomplishment against considerable odds. His father was an escaped slave who became a Presbyterian minister, and his mother was a teacher.

Robeson excelled both academically and athletically at Rutgers University. He studied law at Columbia University, but instead became involved in New York theater and starred in productions including Eugene O'Neill's "The Emperor Jones."

His powerful voice and physical presence made him a star in theater, film and concert halls in America and, even more so, in Europe. Listen to Robeson sing "Ol' Man River" in the 1936 movie version of "Show Boat" and you'll understand his charismatic appeal.

Robeson's leftist political views led to his being blacklisted during the 1950s, and his final years were spent out of the spotlight.

Credit for placing the spotlight on him again for this tribute goes to a frequent soloist with Columbia Pro Cantare, baritone Lester Lynch, who conceived this Robeson tribute and has performed it elsewhere in recent years. The program includes Schubert lieder, songs of Rachmaninoff and Mussorgsky, spirituals and international folk songs.

"Growing up, I knew Robeson for 'Ol' Man River,' but I really knew him less as a singer than as an activist who talked about the equality of all men," Lynch said.

"At the beginning of my own career, people said some crazy things to me about being a black man in the opera business. I knew Paul Robeson stood up against all that. It was his spirit that inspired me more than his voice when I was studying to be an opera singer."

When Lynch put together his Robeson tribute program, he had the daunting task of deciding what to pick from Robeson's extensive repertory.

"He sang in 25 different languages," Lynch said with a laugh. "It really was difficult to decide what to program."

Although the resulting program qualifies as a recital, with varying degrees of participation by the Columbia Pro Cantare, it's hardly a standard recital format.

For one thing, Lynch wears an approximation of a slave costume and is in chains for the opening songs. He loses his chains and changes into a tuxedo for later selections. There's also a multi-media segment providing an overview of Robeson's life.

Lynch adds that the research he did for this program included listening to many recordings done by Robeson, prompting him to gain an even deeper appreciation of Robeson's vocal attributes and overall gifts as a performer.

"I don't know another bass who could sing as low as Robeson. He gave new meaning to the expression basso profundo. And that bottom register seemed to be something that he just did naturally.

"What he was really able to do was communicate ideas through music. That's what opera singers are all trying to do. Robeson could fill any hall, not only with his voice but with audience members and at a time when it was very difficult for African Americans. It's amazing how he was able to do it."

Columbia Pro Cantare and baritone Lester Lynch perform "A Tribute to Paul Robeson" on Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m. at The Jim Rouse Theatre, at 5460 Trumpeter Lane in Wilde Lake. Tickets are $23, $20 for senior citizens and students, in advance; $25 and $22, respectively, at the door.

There is a free pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m. by Robert H. Cataliotti, a professor in the department of humanities at Coppin State University. A reception follows the concert. Call 410-799-9321 or go to www.procantare.org.

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