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A quick overview of Philip Glass’ 2015 opera set in both the end of the 1860s American Civil War and the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement.

Premiered

2007, revised 2015

Music by

Philip Glass

Libretto by

Christopher Hampton

Language

English

Can prejudices still exist after 100 years? Find out as two key moments in history collide on the operatic stage.

While reading about the events at Appomattox in 1865, American composer Philip Glass was struck by the grace and dignity with which Generals Lee and Grant ended the Civil War and made plans for future peace.

Feeling this gentlemanly behavior stood in stark contrast to the turbulent protests of the Civil Rights Movement, Glass and his librettist, Christopher Hampton, created an opera comparing the surrender at Appomattox to the violent conflicts that occurred 100 years later.

Characters - 1865

Frederick Douglass, abolitionist and author

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States

Mary Todd Lincoln, the First Lady

Elizabeth Keckley, her friend

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Union Commander

Julia Grant, his wife

Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate Commander

Mary Custis Lee, his wife

Characters - 1965

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., activist and civil rights leader

Coretta Scott King, his wife

Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States

Lady Bird Johnson, the First Lady

Nicholas Katzenbach, Attorney General

Viola Liuzzo, civil rights supporter

J. Edgar Hoover, Chief of the FBI

Act I: 1865

As the story begins, four female Civil War figures sing of sorrow and bloodshed. Later, Frederick Douglass congratulates President Lincoln on his re-election, and they discuss voting rights for men of color. Lincoln also consults with General Ulysses S. Grant, who receives reports of an encouraging victory.

Meanwhile, in Richmond, a general asks Robert E. Lee for help repealing a Southern bill allowing enslaved people to fight for the rebel army. Lee declines and, as war rages on, Union forces invade Richmond. Inside the Confederate Capitol, a Southerner insults Black reporter T. Morris Chester.

Grant sends a letter to Lee proposing his surrender. Realizing his cause is hopeless, Lee sorrowfully agrees. On April 9th, Grant and Lee meet near Appomattox River. With kindness and courtesy, the opponents negotiate terms. Eight years later, Chester reports on unspeakable violence suffered by Black men at the hands of White Leagues and the Ku Klux Klan.

Act II: 1965

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a memorial for Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was killed after a voters’ rights protest in Alabama. King mentions an upcoming march from Selma to Montgomery in Jimmie’s honor. Two days later, King meets with President Lyndon Johnson, who expresses doubts about the marches.

After two march attempts fail due to violence and threats from Alabama troopers, demonstrators surround the White House. The president speaks to Alabama governor George Wallace, commanding him to “stop harking back to 1865” and pressuring him to commit to free, unobstructed votes for all citizens. Wallace refuses.

Johnson calls for the passage of a universal voting rights bill. Later, on March 25th, King makes a speech on the Montgomery Capitol steps. While there, a white supporter, Viola Liuzzo, approaches and claims to have had a disturbing vision. The next day, the president hears reports from FBI director J. Edgar Hoover that Ms. Liuzzo was murdered by the KKK.

The opera ends in a fast-forward to 2011, as two convicted murderers discuss the Civil Rights Movement.

Read the Cuesheet

Watch an Excerpt

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