Trent Johnson Commissioned to Write Opera “Kenyatta”

Organist and composer Trent Johnson (BM ’89, GPD ’91, Organ) was recently commissioned by Trilogy: An Opera Company to write the opera Kenyatta, based upon the life of Jomo Kenyatta, freedom fighter and the first president of Kenya. In August, selected scenes were staged with soloists, the TAOC chorus, the Newark City Ballet and chamber orchestra, led by conductor Julius P. Williams, at the Science Theater in Newark, N.J. The world premiere of the complete work is scheduled to take place in the fall of 2017 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.