Scott Joplin Composes "The Entertainer" and Begins Work on Opera "Treemonisha"

Scott Joplin composed "The Entertainer" in 1902, which became one of the most recognizable piano pieces in American music history. Simultaneously he began work on "Treemonisha," a full-length opera depicting Black Southern life — a project that would occupy him for years and reflect his ambition to elevate Black musical expression to the level of European classical forms. These works demonstrate the range and seriousness of Joplin's artistic vision.