Submitted by john mclaughlin williams, Aug 28, 2007 11:12

Of operas dealing with the black experience, one must mention William Grant Still's opera Troubled Island prominently. After years of lobbying by Mayor LaGuardia and others, NY City Opera performed the premiere of Troubled Island in 1949. The story concerns a large slave revolt in Haiti. It was a hit, receiving 22 curtain calls on opening night, but was pulled after three performances due to administrational machinations and political intrigue engendered by its composer's staunchly anti-communist positions, and in all probability the composer's race. It has never been revived since.

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