![Jamez McCorkle as Omar surrounded by chorus members in LA Opera's 2022 presentation.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d1193c6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1470x980+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F70%2F66%2F26ac658240318729f809943539d1%2Fomar-la-op.jpg)
12/2 Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels: Omar (LA Opera)
CAST:
Omar -- James McCorkle
Fatima, Omar’s Mother -- Amanda Lynn Bottoms
Johnson/Owen -- Daniel Okulitch
Julie -- Jacqueline Echols
Auctioneer/Taylor -- Barry Banks`
Eliza, Owen’s Daughter -- Deepa Johnny
Katie Ellen -- Briana Hunter
Abdul, Omar’s Brother -- Norman Garrett
Abe -- Alan Williams
Amadou -- Ashley Faatoalia`
Olufemi -- Cedric Berry
Suleiman -- Patrick Blackwell
Principal Dancer -- Jermaine McGhee
The Pulitzer committee hailed Omar as "an innovative and compelling opera about enslaved people brought to North America from Muslim countries, a musical work that respectfully represents African as well as African American traditions, expanding the language of the operatic form while conveying the humanity of those condemned to bondage."