WQXR/New York To Debut 'Every Voice With Terrance McKnight' Podcast

McKnight (Photo: Julie Yarbrough Photography / WQXR)

NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO Classical WQXR/NEW YORK is launching a 16-episode podcast about figures from marginalized communities in the Classical field, "EVERY VOICE WITH TERRANCE MCKNIGHT." The series, hosted by the WQXR host, starts on FEBRUARY 16th and will look at four characters, Monostatos in MOZART's "THE MAGIC FLUTE," Otello and Aida in the eponymous operas by VERDI, and Osmin in MOZART's "ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO." MCKNIGHT will be joined by composer and AMERICOLOR OPERA ALLIANCE Founding Director Dr. SHARON WILLIS, who will contrast the four characters to the historical figures in her own operas,. and several other commentators.

“Classical music is a broad label for music of a culture, but our own American definition has remained stubbornly tethered to the Western European tradition,” said MCKNIGHT. “In this debut season, I wanted to see what has been passed down to us through the operatic tradition in terms of Black representation, interrogate these characters who continue to appear every season on opera stages around the world, and honor the Black performers who have performed these roles. Even in a field as seemingly homogenous as Western classical music, there have always been other voices who have influenced the genre, sometimes unseen. EVERY VOICE brings them to the forefront and celebrates this legacy.”

“WQXR is excited to support TERRANCE and his team in sharing these important stories that are crucial to understanding the full expression and history of classical music,” said WQXR Chief Content Officer ED YIM. “Classical music has so many barriers to entry, but this music belongs to everyone, and can be loved and challenged, appreciated and interrogated all at the same time. As part of our growing podcast portfolio, EVERY VOICE will be available and accessible to a broad audience far beyond the concert hall. This podcast is for everyone who cares about music, history, and culture, and about the voices too often left out of the narrative.”

A live event on FEBRUARY 23rd at NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO's GREENE SPACE will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the podcast, with MCKNIGHT joined by Pres./CEO LAFONTAINE E. OLIVER and other special guests.

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