Opera News has called Anthony Davis, “A National Treasure,” for his pioneering work in opera. He has been on the cutting edge of improvised music and Jazz for over four decades as a collaborator with Wadada Leo Smith, James Newton, and with his own ensemble Episteme. Anthony Davis continues to explore new avenues of expression while retaining a distinctly original voice. Mr. Davis has composed eight operas including:. X: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOLM X with a libretto by Thulani Davis, had its world premiere at the New York City Opera in 1986. A recording of the opera was released in 1992 on the Gramavision label and earned a Grammy nomination for music composition. His fourth opera, AMISTAD with a libretto by Thulani Davis premiered at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on November 29th, 1997. A recording of the opera was released on New World in 2008. WAKONDA’S DREAM with a libretto by Yusef Komunyakaa had its world premiere with Opera Omaha in March 2007. He has composed three chamber operas including TANIA (1992), LILITH (2009) and LEAR ON THE 2ND FLOOR (2013). His opera Central Park Five will debut at Long Beach opera in 2019.
His other works include the music for the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA. NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND, a recording of his works for orchestra was released by BMOP in 2014. Anthony Davis is a Distinguished Professor of Music at the University of California, San Diego.