Malcolm X reaches the Met Opera at a crucial time

Will Liverman (Malcolm)

X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X

Will Liverman (Malcolm) and ensemble

Victor Ryan Robertson (Street) and Bryce Christian Thompson (Young Malcolm)

Victor Ryan Robertson (Eljah) and Will Liverman (Malcolm)

By Kurt Gottschalk, 10 November 2023

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“with Davis' work, opera has likewise become a history book, and a crucial one for the current day”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City on 7 November 2023

Davis, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X

Metropolitan Opera

Kazem Abdullah, Conductor

Robert O'Hara, Director

Clint Ramos, Set Designer

Dede Ayite, Costume Designer

Alex Jainchill, Lighting Designer

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

The Metropolitan Opera Chorus

Yee Eun Nam, Projection Designer

Will Liverman, Malcolm

Victor Ryan Robertson, Elijah/Street

Leah Hawkins, Louise/Betty

Raehann Bryce-Davis, Ella

Michael Sumuel, Reginald

Bryce Christian Thompson, Young Malcolm Little

Rickey Tripp, Choreography

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.

X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X reaches the Met Opera at a crucial time