Dr. Naomi André, scholar and author of Black Opera: History, Power, Engagement to explore themes of voice, race, and gender entwined deep within the rich history of the art form of opera and how it frames the moment we find ourselves in today. BLO Artists present works by opera composers exploring the Black experience, including H. Lawrence Freeman, Shirley Graham Du Bois, William Grant Still, and George Gershwin. Opera Night at the BPL is a lecture performance series presented by Boston Lyric Opera at Boston Public Library.

Including the following selections:

"Hail Subjects of the Mighty Voodoo Queen" from Voodoo
Music and Libretto by H. Lawrence Freeman
Manuscript courtesy of the Columbia University Rare Book & Manuscript Library

"You are Free" from Tom Tom
Music and Libretto by Shirley Graham DuBois
Manuscript courtesy of the Harvard University Schlesinger Library

"A Woman is a Sometime Thing" from Porgy and Bess
Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin
Libretto by DuBose Heyward
Published by Downtown Music Publishing, Raleigh Music, and Warner Chappell

"What Does He Know of Dreams?" from Highway 1, U.S.A.
Music by William Grant Still
Libretto by Verna Arvey
Published by William Grant Still Music