Champion (opera)

Champion is an opera in two acts composed by Terence Blanchard with a libretto by Michael Cristofer. It is based on the life of African-American boxer Emile Griffith, exploring his complex history, sexuality, and the tragic consequences of his 1962 world welterweight championship fight against Benny "Kid" Paret, who died shortly after the bout.

The opera premiered at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis on June 15, 2013. A revised version, with a new orchestration by Blanchard and direction by James Robinson, premiered at the Metropolitan Opera on April 10, 2023, marking the second opera by a Black composer to be presented at the Met (the first being X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, also by Blanchard).

Champion deals with themes of guilt, forgiveness, and the societal pressures surrounding masculinity and sexuality in the mid-20th century. The score blends jazz and classical elements to create a dynamic and emotionally resonant work. The opera's portrayal of Griffith's internal struggles and the aftermath of Paret's death has been widely praised for its sensitivity and depth.