African-American Composer’s Opera Comes to Life

A local opera company ambitiously hopes to convert a long-ignored opera by

an African-American composer into a frequently performed classic, spreading
its message of education and forgiveness to all ages and races.

Opera NOVA, based in Arlington, will stage four performances of ragtime king
Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha” for school children and two public performances
for families, groups, seniors and others in March 2017 but that is just
the beginning. Opera NOVA plans to promote its production to opera
companies throughout the U.S. through its membership in the Opera Volunteers
International Opera NOVA believes its production of Treemonisha expresses
best our community’s culturally refined taste.

“It is such a fine work that Treemonisha should become as familiar to
Americans as Aida and Carmen,” remarks Miriam Miller, president of Opera
NOVA. “Written in 1910, it was not performed in full until 1982 because
producers didn’t believe an African-American could write an opera.”

Selected in tribute to African-Americans in the community, “Treemonisha”
goes well beyond the universal romantic love theme of most operas because
its moral messages are manifold. Perhaps the first purely American opera,
“Treemonisha” emphasizes Joplin’s belief in the importance of education in
wiping out superstition, mysticism and prejudice.

The story centers around a group of former slaves living in an Arkansas
community in 1884 and plagued by a group of men selling townsfolk expensive
bags of luck to hang over their doors. An 18-year-old girl, Treemonisha,
persuades them to ignore the superstitions. After the men kidnap her, she
gets the townspeople to forgive them.

Though Joplin is known for his ragtime pieces, such as “Twelfth Street Rag,”
“Treemonisha”” is written in the classical opera tradition, marrying music,
singing, drama, poetry and dance. Director Roger Riggle and Artistic
Director Jose Sacin are assembling an experienced cast of opera performers
to put on this ambitious opera, abbreviated to 70 minutes.

“Our mission is to inspire children through exposure to the magical art of
opera” says Jose Sacin. “Opening their eyes and minds provides a world of
new opportunities, directions and hopes for them.”

Four performances of Joplin’s Treemonisha will be performed for school
children with two public performances on March 4, 2017. School
performances will be Feb 28, March 1, 2, 3 2017. For information and
reservations contact Opera NOVA Office at 703-536-7557 / mcdm1@verizon.net

________________________
Contact:
Miriam Miller, President
Operat NOVA
mcdm1@verizon.net