Boston Lyric Opera and the Boston Public Library are set to present two new lectures in the “Opera Night at the BPL” series. 

The two lectures will spotlight connections between the historically Euro-centric artform and Black culture.

On April 8, scholar and author Dr. Naomi André will present “Blackness and Identity in Opera,” which explores how themes of race and gender are entwined with the rich history of opera, and how they frame the cultural and social moments in which Americans find themselves today. 

Meanwhile, on May 6, musician and scholar Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle will discuss the storytelling power of the Black American-rooted musical forms — jazz, soul, and R&B — and their connections to opera’s own ability to communicate powerful narrative through music.

The lectures will be presented live on zoom and will be available later, free on BLO’s operabox.tv streaming service.