America's "King of Ragtime," Scott Joplin, died before he could complete this opera, but the seeds he planted have endured. WNO brings this powerful work to the stage in a newly commissioned adaptation by composer Damien Sneed and playwright Kyle Bass, under the direction of legendary mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. One of the richest operas in the American repertoire, it blends ragtime, Black folk-songs, spirituals, ballet, and traditional operatic elements. Set in 1884, the story follows Treemonisha, an educated freedwoman on a former plantation, as she challenges superstition and defies "conjurers" to become her community's teacher and leader.

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*GW Community Tickets are offered in-person at the Lisner Auditorium box office to valid GWorld ID holders, or online using code "GWU20" while supplies last. Code must be input using "Unlock" button before seats are selected. All sales are final, no refunds or exchanges. Lisner Auditorium box office (730 21st St NW) is open on Tuesdays from 11a-3p. Contact gwticket@gwu.edu with questions.