The Metropolitan Opera has a complex history when it comes to Black performers. For many years, Black artists faced discrimination and barriers to entry in this prestigious opera company. In the early 20th century, Black singers such as Marian Anderson and Roland Hayes had to overcome racial prejudices to perform on the Met stage. Marian Anderson famously made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955, becoming the first African-American to perform a leading role.

In the following decades, the Met slowly began to open its doors to more Black performers, but progress was slow. It wasn't until the 1980s and 1990s that we started to see more Black singers gaining recognition at the Met, such as Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle.

Today, the Metropolitan Opera continues to showcase the talents of Black opera singers, with artists like Eric Owens and Angel Blue regularly performing on its stage. The struggles and triumphs of Black performers at the Met offer an important narrative in the history of both opera and Black excellence.