And this created a perfect storm for the success “Highway 1” turned out to be on Saturday’s opening performance.

Still was an American composer of more than 200 works including eight operas, five symphonies, and many choral works and chamber pieces. He was the first African American composer to have an opera, “Troubled Island,” produced by the New York City Opera. His “Afro-American Symphony” (1930) was, until the mid-20th century, widely performed.

Still composed classical music with an American signature and an African American voice.