A departure from the traditional European opera by Verdi or Puccini, Joplin’s African American production, directed by Cleveland Williams, will commemorate Bahamian independence and aid local charities
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Nearly 100 years after it was written, Scott Joplin’s opera Treemonisha will debut in The Bahamas at the Dundas Centre for The Performing Arts on July 6th. Under the direction of Dr. Cleveland Williams, Joplin’s three-act opera will be performed by an all Bahamian cast of more than 57 artists in commemoration of the 36th anniversary of Bahamian independence. Gala night proceeds will benefit the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation.
The story is an inspiring look into the life of a rural African American community whose townspeople, led by young heroine Treemonisha, advance themselves in the post-slavery era by rejecting long held superstitions and deep rooted ignorance in favour of hard work and a commitment to education. [More (pdf)]
Scott Joplin’s ragtime opera Treemonisha will be staged on July 6 at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts under the direction of Bahamian baritone Dr. Cleveland Williams (left) in aid of local charities including the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Association. Chairman of the Heart Association, R. E. Barnes is pictured, right.
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