African and African American cultures have heavily influenced the opera world, and we want to celebrate those deep historic roots by sharing some of our favorite operas inspired by African and African American culture! Enjoy some fantastic music and celebrate the beautiful diversity that we can share through music.
We have separated the list into five operas that represented important shifts in the medium, and then several others which are more recent and deserve recognition for continuing contributions.
We have separated the list into five operas that represented important shifts in the medium, and then several others which are more recent and deserve recognition for continuing contributions.
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Aida
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi Librettist: Antonio Ghislanzoni Year: 1871 Cultural Importance: Portrays African characters with depth, not as caricatures |
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Treemonisha
Composer: Scott Joplin Librettist: also Scott Joplin Year: Published in 1911, but world premiere in 1972 Cultural Importance: By an African-American composer, about African-American culture and incorporates African-American musical styles, and the title character is female. |
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Porgy and Bess
Composer: George Gershwin Librettist: DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin Year: Premiered in Boston 1935, had a resurgence in 1976 after a performance at Houston Grand Cultural Importance: Portrayal of complex black characters in everyday life. Even though it was composed by a white composer, it opened the door to these portrayals and made it more acceptable. |
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Troubled Island
Composer: William Grant Still Librettist: Begun by Langston Hughes, completed Verna Arvey Year: 1949 Cultural Importance: The first grand opera by an African American composer to be produced by a major American Opera Company (NYC Opera) |
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Margaret Garner
Composer: Richard Danielpour Librettist: Toni Morrison Year: 2005 Cultural Importance: Example from the modern rep, about current events, about a woman! |
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Other Notable Operas
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird, written by Daniel Schnyder, Libretto by Bridgette A. Wimberly
I Dream, by Douglas Pattan
X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X, by Anthony Davis, Libertto Thulani Davis
Elmer Gantry, by Robert Aldridge, Libretto by Herschel Garfein - Grammy Winning
Approaching Ali, by DJ Sparr
Champion, by Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer
Lost in the Stars, by Kurt Weill
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird, written by Daniel Schnyder, Libretto by Bridgette A. Wimberly
I Dream, by Douglas Pattan
X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X, by Anthony Davis, Libertto Thulani Davis
Elmer Gantry, by Robert Aldridge, Libretto by Herschel Garfein - Grammy Winning
Approaching Ali, by DJ Sparr
Champion, by Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer
Lost in the Stars, by Kurt Weill
