The opera was composed by Scott Wheeler with a libretto by playwright Romulus Linney, based on Henry Adams' novels. Democracy's story is the coexistence of love and power, and takes place during the corruption scandal surrounding the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant.
The production will be performed by members of the company's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, along with members of the George Washington University Chamber Choir. Democracy also marks the debut of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, a multicultural symphony orchestra guided by Plšcido Domingo, who is also the general director of Washington National Opera.