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Davóne Tines Adapts Langston Hughes’s “The Black Clown” as Opera

other · 2026-05-15

Bass-baritone Davóne Tines has created an operatic adaptation of Langston Hughes’s 1931 dramatic monologue “The Black Clown.” The work condenses 300 years of Black American experience into 18 emotional stanzas. Tines serves as creator, lead actor, and performer. The adaptation was covered by The Philadelphia Inquirer via MSN.

Key facts

  • Davóne Tines adapted Langston Hughes's 1931 poem 'The Black Clown' into an opera.
  • Tines is the creator, lead actor, and bass-baritone of the opera.
  • The original poem condenses 300 years of Black American experience into 18 stanzas.
  • The adaptation was reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer on MSN.
  • The work is described as having 'everythingness'.

Entities

Artists

  • Davóne Tines
  • Langston Hughes

Institutions

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • MSN

Sources