Battle will perform Andr_ Previn's song cycle Honey and Rue, with texts by Toni Morrison, with the DSO at a concert on March 10 and at the gala on March 11; Thomas Wilkins is the conductor. Honey and Rue was written for Battle in 1992.

The annual Classical Roots Gala raises money for the DSO's African American educational and musical programs. It includes a cocktail reception, dinner, dessert, and dancing, as well as a concert.

Battle has performed at the Vienna State Opera, Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera (from which she was famously banned in 1994), and other leading opera houses, and with the New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Boston Symphony. She has won five Grammy awards and an Emmy.

For tickets to the gala, call 313-576-5596; for tickets to the performance, call 313-576-5111 or visit www.detroitsymphony.com.