The main theme of the show this season is our relationship to history, especially the parts of it that have been forgotten and hidden. Black artists are finding a footing to step forward into innovation and redefinition on the path created by our cultural lineage. There's an urgency to this journey, and it's energizing, galvanizing. For example, I speak with singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer about the cultural and social implications of bringing together diverse audiences by reflecting the history of Black artists in country music, newly amplified and highlighted via Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter (where Brittney makes a guest appearance). And as star mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves champions historically important Black composers in her mentorship of the next generation, she is changing the future of the operatic field in real time. I’m also really excited about reuniting with some artists who were my earliest guests on the show, way back in 2020 in pandemic-era zoom format. Soprano Julia Bullock returns this season, from the Met Opera where she is starring in John Adams’ El Niño. And we have a lot to catch up on, including a Grammy nomination and a baby! This show has been a real-time documentation of what feels like a transformative American era, and I’m so pleased to share these meaningful conversations with our viewers in California and around the world!
