• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Nashville's local news and NPR station

Search
Listen Listen
Give Now
  • Search
  • News
    • Arts, Culture & Music
    • Criminal Justice
    • Curious Nashville
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Housing
    • Metro Government
    • Race & Equity
    • State Politics
  • Schedule
    • WPLN-FM
    • WPLN International
  • Support
    • Give Now
    • Ways to Support
    • The Producers’ Circle
    • Donor Hub
    • Donate A Car
    • Give Stock
    • Business Support
    • Planned Giving
  • Shows + Podcasts
    • NashVillager
    • This Is Nashville
    • The Promise
    • Curious Nashville
    • See All
  • NashVillager
    • Podcast
    • Newsletter
  • Events
  • Giveaways
  • Donor Hub
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
This Is Nashville logo
WednesdayApril 5, 2023

Opera by Hannibal Lokumbe makes world premiere in a big, bold production with Nashville Symphony

Courtesy: Nashville Symphony
Hannibal Lokumbe's massive opera production with the Nashville Symphony runs April 13-16 at Schermerhorn Center.
Listen
Share:

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

Get the This Is Nashville weekly Newsletter

In addition to This Is Nashville, sign me up for:

Primary Sidebar

Become a sponsor?
Become a sponsor?
Become a sponsor?

Footer

About

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Staff
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Impact Report
  • Financial, FCC and CPB Reports
  • WPLN News Transparency Report
  • FCC Public File
  • Board of Directors
  • Privacy Policy

Listen

  • Ways To Listen
  • Shows & Podcasts
  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Alexa Smart Speakers

Sister Stations

  • WPLN International
  • 91.ONE, WNXP
  • Nashville Classical Radio

Stay Connected

  • Contact News Department
  • Receive Our Newsletters
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
WPLN News, Nashville Public Radio
630 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37228

Phone: (615) 760-2903
©2025 Nashville Public Radio

on-air light On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM

Pop-Up Player : All Channels
Launch Streaming Player