Cissy Houston, who died Oct. 7, started out on the gospel circuit as a child, sang backup for Aretha Franklin and later guided her daughter, Whitney, to superstardom. 


Remembering gospel singer and backup vocalist Cissy Houston

In his new biopic ‘Maestro,’ Cooper was determined not to imitate the legendary Leonard Bernstein. Instead, the actor worked with conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin to find his own rhythm.


To become the 'Maestro,' Bradley Cooper learned to live the music

Cate Blanchett plays a charismatic conductor who uses her power to take sexual advantage of young women she's mentoring. Both Blanchett and Tár director Todd Field have been nominated for Oscars.


'Whoever holds power, it's going to corrupt them,' says 'Tár' director Todd Field

What do great conductors listen to when they're not on the podium? Philadelphia Orchestra music director Yannik Nézet-Séguin made a playlist, specifically for NPR's 'Fresh Air,' of music that inspires him (plus one of his cats' favorite songs).


From Beyoncé to Debussy, Yannick Nézet-Séguin shares music that inspires him

For years Copeland was told that her skin color, her body and her hair didn't conform to what ballerinas were supposed to look like. Her memoir is The Wind at My Back.


'It chips away at you': Misty Copeland on the whiteness of ballet

Shires' album, Take it Like a Man, includes songs she wrote during a difficult period in her marriage to musician Jason Isbell. She sings and plays fiddle throughout this interview.


Amanda Shires examines the fault lines in her marriage on her new album

Michael R. Jackson's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is about a young Black gay musical theater writer named Usher, who works as an usher at a Broadway show — just like Jackson once did.


'A Strange Loop' writer and composer started out on Broadway as an usher

Giddens' Freedom Highway is an exploration of African American experiences, accompanied by an instrument with its own uniquely African American story: the banjo. Originally broadcast May 11, 2017. 


Composer Rhiannon Giddens sings about slave narratives

In June, Lansbury will receive the Tony Award for lifetime achievement. The ‘Murder, She Wrote’ star previously won Tonys for her performances in ‘Gypsy’ and ‘Sweeney Todd.’


Angela Lansbury looks back on her great performances on stage and screen

A decade ago, Costanzo had surgery that threatened to destroy his singing voice. Now he stars as a gender-fluid Egyptian pharaoh in the Met Opera's production. Originally broadcast Oct. 7, 2019.


Terry Gross

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