Fire Shut up in My Bones

Terence Blanchard's "Fire Shut Up In My Bones" is the first opera composed by a black composer to ever be presented at the Metropolitan Opera in it's 139-year history.

A performance at the Met is a very big deal as the Metropolitan Opera is the most influential opera house in the world. Worldwide, young opera singers cultivate their careers to prepare for the day when they get touched with the magical elevation to the Met stage. Careers have been launched and revived with the good luck of a chance at the Met stage.

One aspect of preparation trepidation for the Met stage is the sheer size of the Met. The Met stage is the largest opera stage in the world. It's 60-ft diameter turntable is twice the size of the entire stage of many European opera stages. Likewise, the theatre capacity at 3850 is twice the size of the largest European opera house. So, there is always concern about vocal power and projection. As Liza Minella in New York, New York belts, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, ..."

At this early stage in the birth and launching of this new opera, the libretto is not separately available, so the libretto is not posted on this website now. However, inasmuch as the opera is entirely in English and since there are subtitles available, following the storyline will not be an issue. Please refer to the program, posted below, for a synopsys of the opera story line.

Video of a Grambling State University step line dance.

Jane Pauley/CBS Sunday Morning presents highlights of "Fire Shut Up In My Bones".

Interview with Terence Blanchard and the process of developing the opera from the Charles Blow autobiobgraphical novel. In the video background please notice that the large screen showing the opera is located in Times Square where the premiere was shared live both there and in Harlem.

Here is an interview from among the DVD bonus material. Opera host, Audra McDonald, interviews the Alpha Kappa Psi national president on his experience with the opera.

Audra Ann McDonald is one of the most celebrated performaners in the world today. She is a seasoned veteran of all stage genres. She has earned 6 Tonys, 2 Grammys, 1 Emmy, and is the recipient of the National Medal of Arts from Barack Obama. She has the unique distinction of having won a Tony in all four categories: Best actress in a musical; best actress in a play, best featured actress in a musical, best featured actress in a play.

Audra regularly portrays Bess in "Porgy & Bess" all over the world. She appeared in the 2007 LA Opera production of Kurt Weill's "Rise and Fall of the City of Mahgonny" alongside fellow Broadway star, Patti Lupone.

Cast descriptions with performer headshots.

Full program of April 2024 revival

• Character list
• Synopsis
• Terence Blanchard's notes
• Notes from Co-Directed James Robinson of St. Louis Opera
• Notes from co-Director/choreographer Camille A Brown
• Article on Black Fraternity and Sorority societies.
• Cast descriptions