In this week's episode, we talk to Jennifer Wilks about her new book, Carmen in Diaspora: Adaptation, Race, and Opera’s Most Famous Character. She discusses the many adaptations of the opera Carmen, from the Harlem Renaissance to modern-day Beyoncé.

Jennifer will be giving an in-person talk about the book on the 150th anniversary of Carmen on Monday, March 3, 2025, in the Gordon-White Building (GWB 2.206) at 2:30 PM.

Dr. Wilks is an Associate Professor of English, African & African Diaspora Studies, and Comparative Literature. She is also the director of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies.

UT students and staff can access the book for free here:
https://academic.oup.com/book/58660

The book can be purchased here:
https://global.oup.com/academic/produ...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Sam Lipman to discuss the world premiere of his Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, set to be performed next week by the Austin Symphony. Sam shares insights into his collaboration with legendary trumpet player Ephraim Owens, whose unique musical voice seamlessly blends blues, bebop, and classical traditions in a way that transcends categorization. The concerto serves as both a celebration of Ephraim’s extraordinary artistry and a heartfelt homage to Austin’s vibrant and diverse musical culture.

In this episode, we talk to opera singer Sophio Dzidziguri, who won the Butler School of Music concerto competition and will perform with Butler's Symphony Orchestra on April 26, 2025, at 7:30 PM in Bates Hall.