ABOUT THE SONG BOOK

Believing that the creation of art should mark every special occasion, OPERA America commissioned the OPERA America Songbook in celebration of the opening of the National Opera Center in September 2012. Composers with strong ties to the organization were invited to write a song for voice and piano on the theme of opening a new home, the joy of singing or the excitement of new beginnings. This collection of songs represents the distinctive voices of some of today’s most important established and emerging opera composers. Produced by OPERA America, the Songbook was recorded, edited and mastered at Gurari Studios in New York City in the summer of 2012.

WALL STREET JOURNAL| Opera

'TREEMONISHA' As It Was Intended to Be 

"Treemonisha is truly a rare artifact of a vanished culture: an opera about African-Americans of the Reconstruction era—created by a black man who actually lived through it. As a unique work of art, it doesn't fit the usual templates. It is the product of a great American genius, and we hope at least to help focus attention on what's truly wonderful about it."

 Rick Benjamin, conductor paragon ragtime orchestra

Cast List

Darren K. Stokes, Edward Pleasant, AnnMarie Sandy,

Frank Ward Jr., Anita Johnson, Chauncey Parker, Robert Mack,

Janinah Burnett, Todd Payne, Phumzile Sojola, Frederick Jackson