February marks Black History Month, a time to honor the often-overlooked history of African Americans in this country. The enormous impact that the Black creative community has had on the arts—especially in the U.S.—is undeniable, and that influence has also been felt in the world of opera. Many Black artists have pushed the boundaries of opera, and some of the most innovative minds in contemporary opera are coming from the Black community. For this Black History Month, we’re taking a moment to shine a light on a few of the incredible Black artists who are breaking new ground and telling fresh, bold stories in opera. 

Terence Blanchard Terence Blanchard is one of the most influential composers of our time. He’s composed over 80 scores for film and television, while still putting out jazz music and creating operas. His two operas—Champion   and Fire Shut Up in My Bones—have both been performed at the Metropolitan Opera, and he was the first Black composer to have an opera staged there. His background in jazz and film scoring makes his operas stand out, blending his unique sound with classical opera traditions. 

Blanchard also incorporates elements of African American music like blues, gospel and spirituals into his operas. Since his works focus on the African American experience, it makes sense that his music would be steeped in Black culture. His operas explore themes like trauma, race, masculinity and resilience—topics that resonate with modern audiences and feel deeply personal. We can’t wait for his upcoming concert at the Soraya in April. Knowing Blanchard, we’re sure it will be an unforgettable performance. 

Kaneza Schaal

Director Kaneza Schaal is one of opera’s most exciting visionaries, transforming the avant-garde scene since she began her theater career in New York. Her work in theater has made her a standout director, known for merging experimental concepts with traditional storytelling to create experiences that feel both familiar and new. This creativity has carried over to her work in opera, which we had the pleasure of seeing firsthand when she directed Omar and Highway 1, USA on our stage. 

In Omar, Schaal took the audience on a spiritual journey with an abstract set embellished with Arabic script, forgoing a realistic set to enhance the emotional impact. In Highway 1, USA, she brought American folklore figures like Br’er Rabbit and Br’er Fox into the story, adding a touch of the fantastical to the domestic drama. Schaal’s creativity seems boundless, and we’re excited to see what she’ll do next. 

Rhiannon Giddens

Speaking of Omar, we have to mention one of that opera’s composers, Rhiannon Giddens. While Giddens first made a name for herself in folk music, she studied opera as a soprano at Oberlin College. It was during her time as a folk artist that she began blending folk storytelling and African American musical traditions with classical music. Her first major project in this fusion was the ballet Lucy Negro, Redux, which explores the theory that Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady” sonnets were inspired by a Black woman. 

Following that, Giddens teamed up with composer Michael Abels to create Omar, a monumental work that mixes folk and classical music on a grand scale. The pair won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for the opera, and it’s definitely a piece that we consider a modern classic. Giddens is showing no signs of slowing down—she’s been commissioned by the Met to create a new opera that we’re sure will once again blow audiences away. 

Michael Abels

Of course, we can’t talk about Omar without mentioning its co-composer, Michael Abels. Abels began his musical training at just four years old, and his passion for music led him to study at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, as well as West African music at the California Institute of the Arts. His big break came when he scored Jordan Peele’s Academy Award-winning film Get Out, launching a career that would see him collaborate with Peele on Us and Nope, both of which received widespread acclaim for their innovative scores. 

Abels brought his brilliance to the opera world when he teamed up with Rhiannon Giddens to compose Omar, seamlessly blending his studies in West African music with the operatic form to create a rich, culturally immersive soundscape. Whether in film or opera, Abels continues to push musical boundaries with his innovative and creative mind. 

Jessica Jahn

Costumes play a huge role in bringing an opera to life, so we’d be remiss not to highlight one of the most talented costume designers working today: Jessica Jahn, whose work you’ll soon see on our stage in Rigoletto   and West Side Story. Originally a ballet dancer, Jahn had been fascinated with costumes throughout her career and was inspired by the beautiful designs she wore while dancing in New York. She made the switch to costume design after sketching and sewing costumes for a friend’s production in downtown Manhattan. 

Jahn’s skills have led her to collaborate with some of the most respected directors in the theater, including Francesca Zambello, Tommy Kali, Tina Landau, Diane Paulus and Kenny Leon. Her costumes have been seen at the San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Glimmerglass Festival. Jahn is also a strong advocate for inclusivity in the arts, and she’s involved in multiple initiatives like the equity, diversity and inclusion committee at the Glimmerglass Festival, as well as serving on Opera America’s board and on the steering committee for Opera America’s Racial Justice Opera Network.  

Janai Brugger 

Opera wouldn’t be what it is without its incredible singers, and few modern voices have soared to stardom like Janai Brugger’s. A member of LA Opera’s Young Artist Program from 2010-2012, Brugger went on to win the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and Operalia in 2012, which led to her Met debut that same year as Liu in Turandot. 

Brugger has performed on some of the world’s biggest opera stages, including the Royal Opera House, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and right here at LA Opera, where she will return next season to sing Mimi in La Bohème. Brugger remains dedicated to her craft, always striving to improve while also mentoring the next generation of opera talent. 

Russell Thomas

 Russell Thomas is one of the most celebrated tenors in the opera world. He started his career in prestigious programs like the Seattle Opera Young Artist Program, Florida Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. This led him to build a diverse repertoire, singing the works of Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Leoncavallo, Bellini, and more.

We were lucky enough to have Thomas as our Artist in Residence from 2021-2024. During his residency, he curated the “After Hours” recital series, which highlighted diverse musical expressions. He also led training programs for singers from historically Black colleges and universities, as well as LA Public High School students from underserved communities. His performances, like his unforgettable portrayal of Calaf in Turandot and in the deeply personal song cycle Fire and Blue Sky, have left a lasting impact. Thomas has firmly established himself as a leading figure in opera today, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for him. 

These are just a few of the remarkable Black artists making waves in the opera world today. We’re fortunate to have their voices pushing the art form in bold new directions, challenging what opera can be. Their work continues to advocate for inclusivity and diversity in opera, and we’re hopeful it will inspire even more diverse stories to take center stage. We hope you’ve had the pleasure (or will soon have the pleasure) of experiencing their work, and hope that you had a joyful and reflective Black History Month.