Treemonisha is an opera written by American composer Scott Joplin in 1911. Treemonisha is considered to be the first opera written by an African American creative. It’s a story about a Black woman who led her community into a new era of empowerment, prosperity and enlightenment. The opera was written around the turn of the 20th century, but the setting takes place around the reconstruction era. The Opera Theatre of St. Louis commissioned composer Damien Sneed produce the opera. Sneed reimagined Joplin’s three act opera by adding two additional acts with to new characters. Sneed added Freddy Alexander and Scott Joplin to acts one and five. Alexander was Joplin’s second wife. They were married in 1904. However, Alexander tragically died from pneumonia 10 weeks after they were married. Treemonisha will be on stage until June 24th at the Opera Theatre.