Renton Prep Students Attend the Malcolm X Seattle Opera Performance

Malcolm X was one of the most influential and controversial figures in the history of the civil rights movement. His life and legacy have inspired countless books, films, and songs. Still, only some people know that his story was also adapted into an opera by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis.

X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X is a groundbreaking and influential opera that explores the personal and political transformations of Malcolm X, from his childhood in poverty to his assassination in 1965. The opera combines various musical genres, such as jazz, blues, gospel, and hip-hop, to create a rich and diverse soundscape that reflects the complexity and diversity of Malcolm X’s identity and ideology.

The Seattle Opera is making history by staging the first opera composed by an African American and the first about Malcolm X. This was a rare and exciting opportunity for Renton Prep students to witness a landmark event in American opera and culture history.

By attending the Seattle Opera performance of Malcolm X, Renton Prep students enjoyed a thrilling and captivating musical experience but also learned more about the life and times of Malcolm X and how his message and vision are still relevant and resonant today. The opera challenged and inspired students to think critically and creatively about their beliefs, values, and goals and how they can make a positive difference in the world.