Anne Wiggins Brown — whom we hear at the opening of this segment singing "Summertime" from the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess — is one of the many great artists to come out of Baltimore’s rich musical community.

Porgy and Bess composer George Gershwin chose the then-23 year-old Brown to sing the title role of Bess in his opera, a role that helped launch her storied career. This weekend, Opera Baltimore will celebrate the great soprano with a festival and concert. Among the featured performers will be the great soprano, composer and educator, Adrienne Danrich.

Joining Tom now in Studio A with a preview is the Artistic and General Director of Opera Baltimore, Julia Cooke.

The Opera on the Avenue festival begins at 10:30 Saturday morning just off Pennsylvania Ave on Cumberland Street. The performance by Adrienne Danrich is tomorrow night at 7:30 at University Baptist Church in Charles Village here in Baltimore. Click the link for more info.