Scott Joplin is best known as a composer of ragtime music – The Entertainer, or theme from the 1970s film The Sting is his most popular work, along with the Maple Leaf Rag. What is not often remembered is that Joplin also wrote an opera, Treemonisha, in 1911. It was a failure at the time but was re-staged to critical acclaim years after Joplin’s death, and in 1976 he was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize in music for the piece.
The original orchestrations were lost long ago, but Spectra Ensemble are performing Treemonisha at the Arcola Theatre in Dalston for a limited run. It is very much a stripped down production, with a small cast of 11 and a six-piece band (perched above the stage in this quirky theatre).
The opera tells the story of a young girl (Treemonisha), who learns to lead her community forwards after the abolition of slavery. There is also – for the time – an unusual feminist element to the piece, as the educated and sensible Treemonisha is chosen to lead her people, not the men, who are superstitious and ignorant. Better programme notes would have been most welcome, as the story was not always easy to follow, even though it is sung in English. What shines through though, is the energy and power of the work.
Joplin did not rely solely on the wonderful syncopated rhythms of ragtime for the piece (though there are a couple of melodies which recall his more famous rags), but also includes traditional arias, African American spirituals, barbershop songs and early blues too.
Grace Nyandoro in the title role has a beautiful soprano voice, which soars with emotion; praise must also go to Samantha Houston for a mellow rendering of her own songs as Treemonisha’s mother. Rodney Earl Clarke is a wonderful happy-clappy Parson with his rich vocals.
Spectra Ensemble have done well to bring this rarely-performed and little-known work to the London stage. There is some nifty foot-tapping choreography by Ester Rudhart, who makes the most of the tiny stage, and the entire company performs with commitment and verve.
Treemonisha is at the Arcola Theatre, London E8 until 31 August.