Opera

A reality cooking competition show might seem like an odd subject for an opera, but it allows for some hijinks and character studies as the contestants express their stories through food while vying to make the best mac 'n' cheese.

J'Nai Bridges, the subject of a new American Masters documentary, was a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center for three years, and is currently singing Carmen at the Lyric. She has also worked with the Chicago area composer Shawn E. Okpebholo.

Marian Anderson, who was the first Black soloist at the Metropolitan Opera and gave an unforgettable concert at the Lincoln Memorial after being denied the use of a concert hall, is the subject of a new American Masters profile. We spoke to the director.

"It's never been the Black artist's problem, it has been other people's problem," the legendary Leontyne Price told WTTW in 1981 about the lack of Black artists, specifically in opera. "It's so simplistic, it's fairly ridiculous." Watch excerpts of the archival interview. 

On Friday, April 14 at 9:00 pm, watch the Met's production of Gounod's Roméo et Juliette on Great Performances. Revisit an interview with the director Bartlett Sher by our sister station WFMT from his time in Chicago in which he discusses Shakespeare and opera, and explore photos of the production.

On January 13, Great Performances broadcasts 'Bel Canto' the opera from Lyric Opera of Chicago, which gave the world premiere in December 2015.