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