A knockout performance
Six-time Grammy Award-winning jazz composer Terence Blanchard’s new opera, “Champion” will be broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera stage to the Newport Performing Arts Center this Saturday, April 29.
Set in Puerto Rico and New York City in the 1950s and 1960s, the story is a powerful and moving account of the life of Emile Griffith, a world champion boxer who overcame homophobia and racism to become one of the most celebrated athletes of his time. Blanchard’s fresh and inventive score accentuates Griffith’s remarkable story. Blanchard, who has composed for more than 40 films and frequently collaborates with director Spike Lee, made history last season as the first black composer at the Met, with his groundbreaking “Fire Shut Up in My Bones.”
“We are thrilled to bring this important and timely story to our community,” Oregon Coast Council for the Arts Executive Director Jason Holland said. “Emile Griffith faced adversity and discrimination, yet lived his life with courage and determination. It’s wonderful to see the Met amplifying long-marginalized voices and investing in the creation of new work from black composers.”
Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads a stellar cast, including rising star bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as young Emile, alongside Met veterans bass-baritone Eric Owens (“Don Carlos,” “Porgy and Bess,” “L’Amour de Loin,”), soprano Latonia Moore (“Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” “Porgy and Bess”) and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe (“Cendrillon,” “Das Rheingold,” “Orfeo ed Euridice”).
Audiences should note that “Champion” contains adult themes, sexually explicit language and physical violence.
The production is sung in English and will be broadcast live to the state-of-the-art Alice Silverman Theatre at 10 am. Run time is approximately three hours and 10 minutes, with one intermission to include exclusive behind-the-scenes content and cast interviews led by host Lawrence Brownlee.
Tickets range from $12 to $22. The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.