Lenny Kravitz on Black and White America
Thursday, September 01, 2011
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Lenny Kravitz
Early in his career, Lenny Kravitz wrote about curbside discrimination on New York streets in the song “Mr. Cab Driver.” Today: The Grammy Award-winning musician joins us to talk about racism leveled at President Obama, addressed in the title track of his new album, “Black and White America." Plus: New York's Opera Omnia brings us their take on the most popular opera of the 17th century, Giasone.
In Discussion: Lenny Kravitz
Early in his career, musician Lenny Kravitz sang about curbside discrimination in New York on the song “Mr. Cab Driver.” He joins us to explain how racism in the Obama era inspired the title track of his new album, “Black and White America.” Plus, he talks about his role in the upcoming screen adaptation of the young-adult sci-fi novel “The Hunger Games.”
In Studio: Opera Omnia
They may have been scrappy, low-budget and just starting out - but baroque opera company Opera Omnia sold out their 2008 Le Poisson Rouge performances of Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea. The company returns to the stage this week with their take on the most-performed opera of the 17th century, Francesco Cavalli’s Giasone. We'll learn about the company's use of authentic baroque instrumentation alongside modern English translations. Plus, we'll hear a live performance.
Gig Alert: Ron Carter Big Band
Bass legend Ron Carter hits the stage for the first time ever with the Ron Carter Big Band at the Jazz Standard Thursday night through Sunday. Download "Loose Change," which has not yet been released commercially, here.