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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.

Aida
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Librettist: Antonio Ghislanzoni
​Year: 1871
Cultural Importance: Portrays African characters with depth, not as caricatures
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.
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.

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)

Margaret Garner
​Composer: Richard Danielpour
Librettist: Toni Morrison
Year: 2005
Cultural Importance: Example from the modern rep, about current events, about a woman!


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

Learn more about other genres that African American's have




​created and inspired by visiting the



​
National Museum of African American History & Culture

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Supported by the Indy Arts and Culture Restart & Resilience Fund: An Arts Council of Indianapolis program made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.

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  • Spring 2021 Season
    • UPCOMING EVENTS
    • Opera At Home >
      • Operas Inspired by African and African American Culture
      • African American Music Appreciation Month
    • OPERA IN THE PARK
    • Tickets >
      • Health & Safety Updates
      • TICKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
  • Our Artists
    • Interview with an Artist
    • Artist Spotlight
    • Alfred Savia
    • RESIDENT ARTIST PROGRAM >
      • Our Resident Artists
      • Booking Information
  • Education / E-Learning
    • The Three Little Hoosier Pigs
    • Around the World in 80 Songs
    • Literature Through an Operatic Lens
    • Community Engagement >
      • Holocaust Remembrance and Education
    • THE VOCAL ARTS INSTITUTE >
      • MEET THE FACULTY
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate Today >
      • The CARES Act
    • The Basile Opera Center Campaign
    • BE A SPONSOR >
      • CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
    • HONOR, MEMORIAL, AND LEGACY GIFTS
  • ABOUT US
    • WHO WE ARE >
      • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
      • Staff Directory
    • WHAT WE DO >
      • PERFORMANCE HISTORY
    • HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE >
      • OPERA 101 >
        • ETIQUETTE
      • EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
      • VOLUNTEER
    • ABOUT OUR FACILITIES >
      • RENTAL INQUIRIES
      • ACCESSIBILITY
    • CONTACT US >
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter