The Pulitzer Prize has awarded “Omar,” by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels, its Music Prize.

The opera, which premiered on May 27, 2022 at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, S.C., is an innovative and compelling opera about enslaved people brought to North America from Muslim countries.

The musical work respectfully represents African as well as African-American traditions, expanding the language of the operatic form while conveying the humanity of those condemned to bondage.

“Omar” was also presented at the LA Opera and at the Boston Lyric Opera.

The Pulitzer Prize for music is awarded to a distinguished musical composition by an American that has had its first performance or recording in the United States during the year. The prize comes with $15,000.