The Fresno State Opera Theatre will present the world premiere of The State of Jefferson by Fresno State Professor of Composition Kenneth Froelich and librettist John Grimmett on January 24th at 8pm and January 26th at 2pm in the Concert Hall. Fresno State opera students and instrumentalist will join forces under the baton of Dr. Thomas Loeweneim. Dr. Anthony P. Radford will direct and produce the show. Significant and timely because of its subject matter, The State of Jefferson tells of the short lived Northern California secession movement in 1941, when residents of counties in the north were tired of being ignored by Sacramento and saw economic benefit and a chance at political relevance by seceding from California. They blocked roads and stood in picket lines giving out pamphlets advertising their cause. The movement saw some press attention in late November and early December 1941, but unfortunately for the movement and the country as a whole, Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7th and any talk of secession in Northern California ended.