X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X
X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X is an opera with music by Anthony Davis and libretto by Thulani Davis, to a story by Christopher Davis. It is based on the life of the civil rights leader Malcolm X.
Performance history[]
The opera premiered in a full production at the American Music Theater Festival in Philadelphia, PA on October 9, 1985 and was subsequently revised and expanded for a production at the New York City Opera on September 28, 1986. The latter was listed as the world premiere in accordance with an agreement made between then-NYCO artistic director Beverly Sills, and AMTF directors Eric Salzman and Marjorie Samoff.[1][2][3] The Oakland Opera Theater performed the work in June 2006.[4] New York City Opera presented an abridged concert version on May 12, 2010 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Roles[]
- Malcolm (baritone)
- Elijah/Street (high tenor)
- Louise/Betty (soprano)
- Ella (mezzo-soprano)
- Reginald (bass-baritone)
- Young Malcolm Little (boy soprano)
Recordings[]
Gramavision: Orchestra of St. Lukes, William Henry Curry, conductor (recorded in 1989, issued in 1992)
References[]
- ^ Henahan, Donal "Anthony Davis's 'X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X'", New York Times, September 29, 1986
- ^ Rockwell, John "Opera: 'X,' A Pre-Debut" New York Times, October 11, 1985
- ^ G. Schirmer, Anthony Davis: X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X
- ^ Kosman, Joshua, "Scrappy Oakland theater triumphantly revives gripping Malcolm X opera", San Francisco Chronicle, June 6, 2006
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- 1986 operas
- Cultural depictions of Malcolm X
- English-language operas
- Opera world premieres at New York City Opera
- Operas
- Operas about politicians
- Operas by Anthony Davis
- Operas set in the 20th century
- Operas set in the United States
- Political operas
- English-language opera stubs