THIS week sees the world premiere of a new opera. Cry of Innocence reflects on the racist murder of 19-year-old Stephen Lawrence in 1993. The opera is written by composer Tunde Jegede. He has worked with pop and jazz musicians as well as major orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic.

He has also studied traditional African music in the Gambia.

Jegede's most recent work was The Calling, a piece commisioned by BBC Radio 3 to mark the 60th anniversary of the fifth Pan-African Conference, which eventually lead to independence for some African and Caribbean States.

The Calling was first performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Cry Of Innocence is conducted by Terry Edwards, a former director of the Royal Opera chorus at Covent Garden and UK international basketball player Edwards played for the British team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

The innovative multi-cultural opera explores immigration, religion, violence, unrest and hope.

The opera combines contemporary classical music, 60s jazz, 90s hip-hop and ballet.

The production includes a DJ, rappers and a gospel choir as well as a more traditional orchestra and opera chorus.

The opera is co-produced by Trinity college of Music and a group called Gyenyame for Performing Arts, which commissions and produces cross-cultural and ethnic music and arts projects.

Cry Of Innocence, Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, until November 26, 8pm, matinees today and Saturday at 1.30pm, £14-£20/£12-18 concs, box office 020 8858 7755, or visit greenwichtheatre.org.uk