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[edit]
The opera premiered in a full production at the American Music Theater Festival (AMTF) in Philadelphia on October 9, 1985, and was subsequently revised and expanded for a production at the New York City Opera (NYCO) 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. It was performed at New York's Metropolitan Opera in November/December 2023.[5][6][7] It was performed at the Seattle Opera in February 2024.[8]
Roles[edit]
- Malcolm (baritone)
- Elijah/Street (high tenor)
- Louise/Betty (soprano)
- Ella (mezzo-soprano)
- Reginald (bass-baritone)
- Young Malcolm Little (boy soprano)
Recordings[edit]
- Gramavision: Orchestra of St. Luke's, William Henry Curry, conductor (recorded in 1989, issued in 1992)
References[edit]
- ^ Henahan, Donal, "Anthony Davis's X (The Life and Times of Malcolm X)", The New York Times, September 29, 1986
- ^ Rockwell, John, "Opera: X, A Pre-Debut" The New York Times, October 11, 1985
- ^ G. Schirmer, "Anthony Davis: X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X (1986), work details
- ^ Kosman, Joshua, "Scrappy Oakland theater triumphantly revives gripping Malcolm X opera", San Francisco Chronicle, June 6, 2006
- ^ Ross, Alex (May 27, 2022). "Malcolm X and Hamlet Seize the Opera Stage". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ "X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X production details 2023". Metropolitan Opera. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Joshua Barone (November 6, 2023). "Review: Anthony Davis's Malcolm X Opera Finally Arrives at the Met". The New York Times. p. C1. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "Malcolm X production marks a first for Seattle Opera's mainstage". The Seattle Times. February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
