Before any opera purists start wringing their hands, let's remember that the 400-year-old art form has proven itself terrifically adaptable and resilient.
Featuring Jhené Aiko, Denzel Curry, Ambré and more, this week's Heat Check selects come from artists who don't entertain the haters or mutter their feelings.
Townshend talks about his debut novel, how it relates to The Who's rock opera, Tommy, and what he'd say now to his younger self – the one who wrote the lyric "I hope I die before I get old."
NPR's Scott Simon reconnects with Ugandan musician and activist Bobi Wine, who continues to protest President Yoweri Museveni's rule. Wine is now planning to run against him in 2021.
Musician Joe Henry was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He tells NPR's Scott Simon that the news set into motion a songwriting flurry, creating a new album, The Gospel According to Water.