Author: Melanie Moseley

Omar: Operatic Triumph of Art and History

This weekend, the opera Omar made its North Carolina premiere for Carolina Performing Arts in Memorial Hall on campus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a premiere that was a fervent display of provoking music, history, and cultural symbolism.

The chemistry between the castmates was palpable as they performed songs composed by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels. Giddens’ lyrics told a clear story of Omar Ibn Said and his life as a Muslim man enslaved and transported to the United States. Said later wrote a series of Arabic-language works, including his autobiography. Tenor Jamez McCorkle stunned the audience as he portrayed the character of Omar. McCorkle sang beautifully and with clarity, though supertitles were projected above the opera stage to assist anyone looking for additional support with the lyrics.

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