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    The dramatic true story of boxer Emile Griffith is transformed into an opera, innovatively fused with jazz music, in this New York premiere.

    A groundbreaking opera in jazz

    Grammy Award-winner Terence Blanchard’s electrifying Champion arrives in New York this year, bringing the shocking story of boxer Emile Griffith to the stage in an innovative opera that combines classical and jazz.

    World title-holder Griffith was a hatmaker turned boxer whose later years were haunted by the death of his homophobic opponent Benny Paret in 1962. One of boxing’s greatest tragedies unfolds dramatically on stage with music by Blanchard - widely known as a long-time collaborator of Spike Lee’s - and libretto by Michael Cristofer.

    Blanchard’s Champion opera arrives in New York almost ten years after its US premiere, and following the huge success of his second opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones. It is directed by James Robinson and features swift-footed choreography by Camille A. Brown. Robinson and Brown previously collaborated on Fire and Porgy and Bess for the Met Opera.

    The cast of Champion at the Metropolitan Opera House includes bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as young boxer Emile Griffith and bass-baritone Eric Owens as the older Emile, who is haunted by past events.

    This groundbreaking show defies categorization and brings new energy to the Met Opera House. Book Champion opera tickets to see its New York premiere this year.

    Sorry this show closed 08 May 2023, we recommend these similar productions.

    La Boheme
    Nabucco
    Performance dates:
    08 May 2023 - 08 May 2023
    Running time:
    2 hours and 50 minutes including an intermission.
    Age recommendation:
    No age recommendation has been set. See Audience Notes for content warnings.
    Audience Notes:
    This production contains adult themes, sexually explicit language, and physical violence.

    Latest Audience Reviews

    ryane4's avatar
    ryane4 30 May 2023

    Sets great. Lighting great. Orchestrations great. Overall, visually appealing. Sadly, I could ha... More

    martinj12's avatar
    martinj12 05 May 2023
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