On June 4, 2022, the Tulsa Opera will air their 2021 performance “Greenwood Overcomes” which commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre.

The showcase, which will be presented via public media stations on June 4 and then broadcast on demand on CRB Classical from June 5, featured works by 23 living black composers, performed by black artists.

Performers included mezzo-sopranos Denyce Graves and Krysty Swann; sopranos Leah Hawkins and Leona Mitchell; tenors Issachah Savage and Noah Stewart; bass Kevin Thompson and bass-baritone Davone Tines. The concert featured works by Anthony Davis, Stewart Goodyear, James Lee III, Nkeiru Okoyo, David Bontemps, H. Leslie Adams, Peter Ashbourne, Jasmine Barnes, Kathryn Bostic, BE Boykin, Valerie Capers, Roland Carter, Melanie DeMore, Marks LA Garrett, Adolphus Hailstork, Tania León, Quinn Mason, Andre Myers, Rosephanye Powell, Carlos Simon, Damien Sneed, Tyshawn Sorey, and Nolan Williams, Jr.

The event was hosted by Tulsa Opera Artistic Director and Composer Tobias Picker and Metropolitan Opera Pianist and Assistant Conductor Howard Watkins. The show will include interviews and conversations with many of the event’s collaborators.

“Being part of such an important event was a truly remarkable experience and, as a collaborating pianist, I can say that these performances were emotionally charged, both on and off stage,” said Watkins, co. -commissioner of the event, in an official press release. “It was an important concert acknowledging and acknowledging the horrific events of 1921 with music as a vehicle for grief, anger, healing and love.”