Pittsburgh Opera will produce the 2018 world premiere of Mohammed Fairouz's "Bhutto," an opera about the former prime minister of Pakistan who was assassinated 2007.

Mr. Fairouz, 30, is a rising star in the opera world. "Bhutto" features a libretto co-written by the composer and Mohammed Hanif and has been in development for more than two years. It was commissioned by several groups, including opera incubator Beth Morrison Projects, which will be associated with the Pittsburgh production. Baritone Nathan Gunn and mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey are expected to star in the world premiere at the Benedum Center.

"The opera focuses on Benazir Bhutto's extraordinary life and the influences upon her, and the effect that her stand for women and their ability to lead has had on the world stage," said Pittsburgh Opera general director Christopher Hahn. …