The Nashville Symphony is preparing for the world premiere of “The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph,” an epic and ambitious opera from composer and jazz trumpeter Hannibal Lokumbe.

“The Jonah People” tells the story of the African American experience, starting with abduction and enslavement to the present day. It’s a massive, multimedia undertaking that hasn’t been done before in a symphony hall. Lokumbe’s visionary creation is intended to have a huge impact as entertainment but also attitudes, or in the his words “Come as you are; leave transformed.”

In today’s episode, we hear how Lokumbe created his visionary work and his collaboration with the Nashville Symphony. WPLN editor LaTonya Turner also takes us behind-the-scenes for a look at the complex scenic and technical design that must be put together in the next few days.

But first, three state representatives are facing expulsion from the Tennessee legislature for leading a protest for gun control from the House floor. We’ll be joined by Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, to talk what happened and the reaction from their constituents.

Guests: 

• Hannibal Lokumbe, composer of “The Jonah People: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph”
• Alan Valentine, Nashville Symphony president and CEO of the Nashville Symphony
• Karen Slack, soprano and “The Jonah People” cast member