Iowa PBS debuts Des Moines Metro Opera Presents American Apollo
A black man looking up with the Apollo symbol on his chest

A powerful new work, American Apollo, made its full-length world premiere at the Des Moines Metro Opera in 2024. Iowa PBS will present the broadcast premiere of Des Moines Metro Opera Presents American Apollo on Friday, September 27 at 8:30 p.m., bringing the performance to Iowans statewide. In addition to the broadcast, Iowa PBS will also host a preview of the opera and discussion about its themes on Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the network’s Maytag Auditorium in Johnston.

Composer Damien Geter and Librettist Lila Palmer’s opera gives voice to a pivotal figure in American art: Thomas Eugene McKeller, a Black hotel worker who served as model and muse for famous portraitist John Singer Sargent. Even though McKeller served as a model for significant work by Sargent, his racial identity is erased in every finished work.

“I'm always interested in stories that are hiding in plain sight,” said Palmer. “I'm interested in stories that we have walked past, that are part of our landscape, that we don't see. And this story so epitomizes that.”

Forged at the crossroads of race, celebrity, class and power in America, this world premiere opera imagines the evolution of the relationship between the artist and model while exploring themes of erasure and the white gaze.

“It's such a beautiful story. It works on so many levels that it's just perfect for opera,” said Des Moines Metro Opera General and Artistic Director Michael Egel. “It has the historical component of a story drawn from 100 years ago in America's past. It also allows us to think of contemporary issues and things we're talking about in the zeitgeist, the idea of erasure, who's seen and who isn't seen, whose stories are remembered and whose aren't.”

Des Moines Metro Opera Presents American Apollo features baritone Justin Austin as Thomas Eugene McKeller and tenor William Burden making a company debut as John Singer Sargent. Austin, Burden and Egel will also be part of the preview event on September 24. For more information and to register for this free event, visit iowapbs.org/events.