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Will Liverman

Malcolm X arrives — finally — at New York's Metropolitan Opera

Baritone Will Liverman stars in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X at New York's Metropolitan Opera. Zenith Richards/Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera hide caption

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Zenith Richards/Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera

Culture

Malcolm X arrives — finally — at New York's Metropolitan Opera

An opera about civil rights leader Malcolm X opens Friday — nearly 40 years after X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X premiered. The creative team says its message feels more relevant than ever.

Malcolm X arrives — finally — at New York's Metropolitan Opera

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When COVID stalled careers, these opera singers leveled up

Will Liverman, an up-and-coming baritone, feared the COVID-era shutdown of live music would end his career. Instead, he's one of a number of opera singers for whom pandemic stress transformed into creative freedom. Jaclyn Simpson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jaclyn Simpson/Courtesy of the artist

Deceptive Cadence

When COVID stalled careers, these opera singers leveled up

Forget the diva stereotype: Opera careers are tough, and often strict. But as concert halls reopen after months of shutdown, more than a few singers are showing newfound creativity.

The Best Music Of February: NPR Staff Picks

Clockwise from upper left: Black Country, New Road; VanJess; Will Liverman; Maxine Funke; Aaron Lee Tasjan; Wild Pink. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

All Songs Considered

The Best Music Of February: NPR Staff Picks

In February, new albums by Aaron Lee Tasjan, Wild Pink and Black Country, New Road had us yearning for live music; VanJess sang matters of the heart; and Will Liverman devoted an entire album to Black composers.

The Best Music Of February: NPR Staff Picks

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Will Liverman 'Dreams Of A New Day' For Black Composers
Adam Ewing/Courtesy of the artist

Deceptive Cadence

Will Liverman 'Dreams Of A New Day' For Black Composers

As a student, the young baritone was never really introduced to any Black composers. Liverman's latest album, Dreams of a New Day, features an abundance of them.

Will Liverman 'Dreams Of A New Day' For Black Composers

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NPR's Classical Music Editor Previews 2 Albums You'll Want To Hear

Baritone Will Liverman's upcoming album is devoted to Black composers past and present. Cedille records hide caption

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Cedille records

Deceptive Cadence

NPR's Classical Music Editor Previews 2 Albums You'll Want To Hear

NPR's resident classical music specialist Tom Huizenga previews two of the albums he's looking forward to spending time with in 2021.

NPR's Classical Music Editor Previews 2 Albums You'll Want To Hear

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