IN Series, the Washington, D.C.–based opera-theater company known for its innovative and boundary-pushing productions, will bring a brand-new work to Baltimore this winter:The Delta King’s Blues, a world-premiere blues opera composed by Damien Geter with a libretto by Jarrod Lee.The production arrives at 2640 Space in Charles Village for three performances, December 19–21, following its Washington, D.C. debut earlier in the month.
Rooted in the enduring myth of blues legend Robert Johnson and his fabled “deal with the devil,” the one-act opera reimagines Johnson’s story through a contemporary lens. Audiences will step into an immersive juke-joint environment, transformed to resemble an intimate blues club complete with cabaret-style seating, food, and drinks woven into the experience. The multisensory format is designed to blur the lines between theater, opera, and live music, placing the audience close to the heart of the action.
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The opera grew from Geter and Lee’s long-standing interest in Johnson’s life and the folklore surrounding his rapid musical transformation. Their creative partnership dates back to conversations in 2019, which eventually evolved into the work now premiering onstage.The Delta King’s Bluesalso reflects years of research, writing, and development that continued through the pandemic.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}The production is directed byAlicia Washingtonwith music direction byMatthew Lynch, marking his U.S. conducting debut. The cast includes several acclaimed performers: sopranoMelissa Wimbish; tenorAlbert R. Leein the role of Robert Johnson;Christian Simmonsas the Devil;Marvin Wayne Allen III; and tenorJonathan Pierce Rhodes. The score blends a traditional blues quartet with a classical string quartet, highlighting both the opera’s musical fusion and its grounding in African American cultural history.
Robert Johnson’s influence looms large over the production. Born in Mississippi in 1911, Johnson recorded just 29 songs between 1936 and 1937, yet his work became foundational to the Delta blues and, later, rock and roll. Tracks like “Cross Road Blues,” “Hellhound on My Trail,” and “Sweet Home Chicago” shaped generations of musicians and helped enshrine Johnson as an American cultural icon. His life, shrouded in hardship, brilliance, and myth, continues to inspire new interpretations across art forms—including this latest opera.
The Delta King’s Blues2640 Space — 2640 St. Paul Street, BaltimoreFriday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m.Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, December 21 at 2:30 p.m.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 90px;}}Tickets:General Admission $35 | Student $25More information:https://inseries.org
IN Series, founded in 1982 and now led by Artistic Director Timothy Nelson, continues to present works that merge musical traditions, uplift diverse voices, and reframe opera as an accessible and community-rooted art form. The company is widely recognized for productions that expand the artistic possibilities of opera while celebrating diverse stories and audiences.
