Des Moines Metro Opera is set to present the world premiere of “American Apollo.”

The new opera by composer Damien Geter and librettist Lila Palmer, which was originally conceived as a 20-minute chamber opera in 2021 as part of Washington National Opera’s American Opera Initiative, was expanded and transformed into a full-length work.

The cast will include baritone Justin Austin (Thomas Eugene McKeller), tenor William Burden (John Singer Sargent), soprano Mary Dunleavy (Isabella Stewart Gardner), mezzo-soprano Tesia Kwarteng (Ida Mae McDonald), tenor Alex McKissick (Nicola d’Inverno), mezzo-soprano Kendra Faith Beasley (Florence McKeller and Mrs. Smithson), baritone Daniel Rich (Willie McDonald), bass-baritone Shyheim Selvan Hinnant (Clarence and Master of Ceremonies), tenor Isaiah Traylor (George), tenor Antonio Domino (Walter), bass-baritone Robert Frazier (Jimmy O’Donnelly and Mr. Carhart) and tenor Hayden Smith (Mr. Sparhawk).

In a statement Geter said, “As we approach the premiere of the full version of American Apollo, I reflect on the journey that brought Lila and me to this point, and why Thomas McKeller’s story is significant. The importance of his narrative lies in the United States’ most recent reckoning with race relations, and the excavating of essential Black figures whose contributions to the world were covered up, lost or forgotten. It is my hope that the music serves the drama in a way that makes the audience root for Thomas in his quest to simply be seen.” According to curator Nathaniel Silver of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, “while reams of correspondence attest to Sargent’s life and work, successes and failures and even such details as his tastes in music, theater or food, McKeller is almost invisible in the historical record.”

The production opens on July 13 and plays until the 19. As of this writing, the opening night performance is sold out per the company’s official website.