Backstage at the Metropolitan Opera: 'Champion' tells the tragic tale of boxer Emile Griffith

The groundbreaking opera 'Champion,' shown for the first time at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, was the first composed by the famous Jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard. 

In part two of our journey with Champion's cast and crew, Musica follows the exciting rehearsal process as it builds up to the opening night, taking a look behind the scenes and finding out what it takes to stage a modern masterpiece.

The final countdown has begun. Two weeks to go until the premiere of 'Champion: An Opera In Jazz.'

The orchestra is rehearsing but what you see is only the tip of the iceberg. The Metropolitan Opera is like a huge ocean liner that never stops.

"We literally have a stage that is in 24-hour use because after this morning we had a rehearsal for Champion. Tonight we have a performance of Rosenkavalier. Overnight a night gang will be transforming the scenery back to Champion so we can resume rehearsing it tomorrow morning," explained Peter Gelb, the General Manager of New York's Metropolitan Opera.

"It's non-stop and that's the way we like it. It's controlled chaos," Gelb told Musica.

The famous jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard made history in 2021 as the first Black composer to have his work shown at the Metropolitan Opera.

"Being here is surreal for me. I'm a jazz musician. That’s not my daily grind," he explained. "This place has so much history in it. And you can feel it in the walls. There are so many great people working here who have been here for years who know what they're doing."

Many artisans and artists are working towards one goal: to stage the compelling drama of Emile Griffith – the true story of one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Ryan Speedo Green is a bass-baritone who stars as Emile Griffith in the