he said i just realized that's not me anymore. that statement was a powerful one for me that i hope resonated in the hearts and minds of a lot of our youth today. >> now, you know, i read a lot online. i read "the new york times" piece and then i got it this morning that the sunday story of you. it says this came about as a surprise to you, essentially coming down to the metropolitan opera calling you, telling you that they wanted "fire" to be the first of the 300 odd titles that have been on its stage to have been composed by a black person. in the same article you mentioned black composers in previous eras who deserved the honor but were, of course, denied because of racism. do you feel any of that charge of history when you're orchestrating or conducting this show? >> oh, of course. i mean, you know, my composition