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. Based on the life of the civil rights leader Malcolm X. The opera premiered in a semi-staged production in Philadelphia in 1985 and received its first fully staged production at the New York City Opera in 1986.[1]
Performance history
The opera was given its premiere at the American Musical Theatre Festival in Philadelphia, PA on October 9, 1985. This production with orchestra was only semi-staged.[2] The first fully staged performance of the opera was presented by the New York City Opera on September 28, 1986. The Oakland Opera Theater performed the work in June 2006.[3] 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 (1992)
References
- ^ Henahan, Donal "Anthony Davis's 'X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X'", New York Times, September 29, 1986
- ^ 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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