The world of opera meets tennis in a once-in-a-lifetime performance at the US Open Men’s Final this year.

A Musical Surprise Before the Match!

Tennis fans are in for a treat on September 10, 2023, as the mighty Arthur Ashe Stadium becomes a stage for something other than tennis. Before the action kicks off, GRAMMY Award-winner Will Liverman will join forces with the famed Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for a performance to remember.

Harmonious Collab with Top Musicians

Guided by the Met Opera’s music maestro, Yannick Nézet-Séguin on piano, attendees will be serenaded with a soul-stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful/Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This isn’t just any version – it’s been specially arranged by John Sheppard and Tetsuro Hoshii, emphasizing voice, piano, and brass. The spotlight will also shine on Met’s Billy Hunter on the trumpet, Brad Gemeinhardt and Anne Scharer with the French horn, and Sasha Romero and Weston Sprott jazzing it up on the trombone.

Liverman’s Legendary Journey

But who’s this baritone taking the tennis court by storm? Will Liverman isn’t just any artist. He was the star of Terence Blanchard’s groundbreaking opera, ‘Fire Shut Up in My Bones’—a historic debut for a Black composer at the Met. That’s not all; Liverman also clinched the 2023 GRAMMY for Best Opera Recording. And come November, he’ll immerse himself in the role of Malcolm X, in Anthony Davis’s ‘X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X.’ His opera, ‘The Factotum,’ even premiered at the Lyric Opera of Chicago this year. Talk about being on a roll!

Nézet-Séguin’s Opera Odyssey

On the other hand, conductor extraordinaire Nézet-Séguin has been with the Met Opera since the 2018/19 season, waving his baton for over 170 shows! He’s not just tied to the Met, though. The Philadelphia Orchestra also benefits from his genius. Watch out for his next big project, the premiere of Jake Heggie’s ‘Dead Man Walking’ at the Met.

Bringing the Best to the BestUSTA’s board chair, Brian Hainline, couldn’t hold back his excitement. In his words, “To host the Metropolitan Opera, a behemoth in the cultural world, on tennis’s biggest stage is a proud moment for the USTA. As we celebrate tennis greats, let’s also applaud the classical maestros – Will, Yannick, and the Met Opera Orchestra.”

Catch all this live on ESPN, and if you’re feeling adventurous, snag some tickets to witness history here.