Historic opera 'Treemonisha' to be presented at Roxbury Center for Arts

By Boston.com Staff

Considered the first grand opera written by an African-American composer, Scott Joplin's Treemonisha will be presented at the Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall the last weekend in April.

The performances from April 29 through May 1 are a collaborative effort of the arts center, Mssng Lnks and Opera Boston. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. The Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., while Sunday's begins at 3 p.m.

Completed in 1910 by Joplin, who was also know as the “King of Ragtime,” Treemonisha was not fully staged until 1972 - more than five decades after Joplin's death.

"The musical styles speak directly to modern audiences—from heartfelt arias to rousing ragtime choruses," said an announcement from the arts center. "This production of Treemonisha is the Boston premiere of the opera."

The cast includes 34 teenagers and seven adults from Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Readville, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Charlestown, Brighton and Quincy, according to the announcement. Principal roles will be played by four professional singers and two aspiring professionals.

The ensemble members range in age from 13 to 21. The average is 16 years old. Teens auditioned at area schools, including: Boston Latin Academy, Boston Arts Academy, Boston Collegiate Charter School, Mildred Avenue School, New Mission High School, Boston College High School, North Quincy High School and Hamilton Garrett Music and Arts Academy.

Students were chosen "not only for their vocal skills, but also for their willingness to commit to the project, work hard and take artistic risks," event officials said. "For many it is their first time participating in a staged production."

Mssng Lnks Founder, Sam Martinborough is the production's Stage Director.

Below is a synopsis of Treemonisha described by the arts center:

The heroine of the opera is an 18-year-old woman, Treemonisha, who had been found as an infant under a tree and raised as a daughter by Monisha and her husband Ned. Monisha and Ned send Treemonisha to a white woman for education, as the community had no schools, and Treemonisha returns as the only member of the community who can read and write. As the opera opens, Treemonisha foils the efforts of a conjurer, Zodzetrick, to sell a "bag of luck" to Monisha. In response, the conjurers kidnap Treemonisha and are about to throw her into a wasp nest when she is rescued by a friend, Remus, in disguise. The conjurers in turn are captured by other townsmen and taken to the town where at Treemonisha's urging they are forgiven and released. Treemonisha is acknowledged as the leader of the community and she and Simone, the leader of the conjurors, lead the people in the finale, "Marching Onward".

For more information visit www.madison-park.org or call Dillon Bustin at 617-849-6322.