opera

The world-renowned countertenor and his husband were accused of drugging and raping a young singer in 2010.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Givonna Joseph of Loyola University New Orleans and Gwen Thompkins of WWNO radio about the influence of opera on jazz music.

The opera brings to light and life the true story of an enslaved man, Omar Ibn Said.

The celebrated singer, who led an illustrious, jet-setting career, broke the color barrier as the first Black artist to perform at Germany's Bayreuth Festival.

Grace Bumbry has died. She had one of the most illustrious operatic careers of the 20th century. She was also the first Black singer to perform at the Paris Opera and the Bayreuth Festival in Germany.

A Jean-Philippe Rameau opera, left unfinished at time of his death and recently completed by a musicologist, gets its premiere 280 years later, with extravagant costumes.

Opera Ebony was formed when opportunities for Black singers were few and far between. The company celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, but may not survive its 81-year-old founder.

Mo Willems' picture book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! turns 20 this month. To mark the anniversary, Willems and Renee Fleming presented the pigeon's story in an opera at the Kennedy Center.

Terence Blanchard's work based on the troubled life of boxing champion Emile Griffith premieres at the Metropolitan Opera. (This piece originally aired on Weekend Edition on April 8, 2023.)

A new collection of recordings finally freed from the vaults offers a chance to hear one of opera's greatest artists sing Wagner, Strauss, Berlioz and more.