Roots Music Star And Macarthur Genius Rhiannon Giddens Returns To Her First Art Form, Opera — As A Composer

She came to prominence as co-founder of string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, moved to a solo career, and now directs the Silkroad Ensemble, the world-music group founded by Yo-Yo Ma.  But she trained as an opera singer, and her first opera is now premiering at Spoleto USA. – The New York Times