OPERA TALK: COTTON- THE DREAM AND HOPE OF THE SLAVE
OPERA TALK: COTTON- THE DREAM AND HOPE OF THE SLAVE
Cotton is a touching tribute, honoring the journey of the African-American slave through spirituals, art and slave narratives. This Black History celebration will highlight some slave narratives in a touching audiovisual tribute.
Book this singing talk in 3 ways:
1. Talk only with audio-visual presentation
2. Talk with 1 spiritual performed by the speaker
3. Talk with 2 spirituals performed by the speaker
Cotton honors the African American experience during slavery and its indelible impact on history and most of all the plight of the descendants in a Prelude and 3 Acts. Through excellent research, Tanisha carefully crafts the words of slaves through themes matched with slave narratives and spirituals. This program is a perfect fit for Black History Month and Juneteenth.
ACT ONE: PAIN
Following a brief introduction of the impact of cotton on the US economy, Act 1 highlights slave children who witnessed their families torn apart and being auctioned to various masters for work. Spirituals include Motherless Child and I’m a Po’ Little Orphan in this World.
ACT TWO: RELIGION AND RESISTANCE
Religion played a pivotal role in keeping slaves submitted to their masters. However, it became a driving force to questions of being enslaved. This act delves into a slave named Uncle Silas who was a devout churchgoer and questioned his own deliverance from slavery as those in the Bible. Spirituals in this act include City Called Heaven.
ACT THREE: EMANCIPATION
In America, slaves created their own religion from what masters wanted them to believe to keep them subservient. Act 3 explores the motivation behind escaping from slavery and how spirituals became codes for escape. Spirituals highlighted in this act are: Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel and Deep River.
Five Memorable Quotes from the American Slave Experience
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Tanisha's top Joan Sutherland Moments
5 Unforgettable Quotes from Slave Narratives: "Everytime I perform this program, I often remember these quotes that described the deep feeling of slaves in the 18th and 19th century. Swipe to read these poignant words." -Tanisha
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"My brothers and sisters were bid off first, and one by one, while my mother, paralyzed with grief, held me by the hand. Her turn came and she was bought by Isaac Riley of Montgomery County. Then I was offered…" Josiah Henson Narrative, 1789
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"Is God gonna free us slaves when we get to Heaven?" Uncle Silas yelled. The Negro in VA by Beverly Jones
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“Most of the slaves didn’t know when they was born, but I did. You see, I was born on a Christmas mornin’ — it was in 1840; I was a full grown man when I finally got my freedom. Before I got it, though, I helped a lot of others get theirs” -Gragston narrative.
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“[I guess] I could be called a ‘conductor’ on the underground railway, only we didn’t call it that then. I don’t know as we called it anything; we just knew there was a lot of slaves always a-wantin’ to get free, and I had to help ’em.” -Gragston narrative
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"And then something begins to work up here, (touching his forehead with his fingers) I begins to think and to know things. And I knowed then I could make a living for my own self, and I never had to be a slave no more." -Robert Falls, NC
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1. Talk only with audio-visual presentation
2. Talk with 1 spiritual performed by the speaker
3. Talk with 2 spirituals performed by the speaker
TANISHA’S PICKS: DVD’S, SOUND RECORDINGS & MORE
This opera talk features Tanisha’s favorite DVD's and recordings relevant to this talk. Click the link to purchase some of them for your own collection.
DVD
The African Americans : many rivers to cross presented by Henry Louise Gate, Jr
CD
Spirituals in Concert:
Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman
Deutsche Grammophon
DVD
The African Americans : many rivers to cross presented by Henry Louise Gate, Jr
CD
The essential Leontyne Price : spirituals, hymns & sacred songs
CD
Spirituals in concert:
Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman
Deutsche Grammophon
CD
Paul Robeson: The complete EMI sessions, 1928-1939
BOOK
To be a slave by Julius Lester;
Illustrated by Tom Feelings
