Speaking Soundly: The Met’s first black composer
OrchestrasDavid Krauss’s conversation partner this week is the versatile Terence Blanchard, composer of the first opera commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera from an African-American composer.
Terence, David’s fellow-trumpeter, talks about his father’s love of opera and his lack of barriers between opera and jazz.
Listen here.
Terence is right up there with Wynton Marsalis as a composer. Can’t wait to hear what he comes up with!!!
Might we know if Mr. Blanchard’s operatic style follows the Mozart-Rossini belcanto tradition, the Pergolesi-Cimarosa opera buffa tradition, or the Wagner-Strauss Teutonic tradition? And does it have good tunes? If none of the above then we are not interested thank you very much.
I was lucky enough to see Fire Shut Up In My Bones at its initial Met run in 2021. The score was electrifying, as were the performances, costumes, and casting. Nice interview with Blanchard!