William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com,
which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de
Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com
William Grant Still Music Item No. CD-OPERA-TROUBISL-WGSM3001
http://www.williamgrantstill.com/Troubled-Island/dp/B00O05IMBU
http://www.williamgrantstill.com/Troubled-Island/dp/B00O05IMBU
$21.95
Product Details
Product Details
A reproduction of the 1949 New York performance of this
William Grant Still opera in collaboration with Langston Hughes and
Verna Arvey. Available on CD, this recording is a 50th anniversary
tribute to the first opera by an Afro-American to be staged by a major
American company. One of the first productions, with all of its
technical flaws, is presented here.
The following review of William Grant Still's opera Troubled Island is by Michael S. Wright:
This Landmark Recording is being distributed in a most unethical way!
This
is THE landmark recording. This is in fact the ONLY recording available
and Cantus-Line (DA Music) a German company are doing no favours by
issuing it. However, the bargain price CD's have in fact been issued
without any royalties being paid to the owners. This unethical dealing
was revealed to me by the publishers, William Grant Still Music check
out - www.williamgrantstill.com will supply legal copies.
The
plot of "Troubled Island" is the troubled history of Haiti in 1790's
portraying Jean Jacques Dessalines and the corruption of his leadership
in the Haitian revolution. As self proclaimed emperor of Haiti, he was
'bumped off' by his opponents. A great plot for starters! This an opera
in three acts was composed by William Grant Still (1895-1978), with a
libretto begun by poet Langston Hughes (1902-1967) and completed by
Verna Arvey (1910-1987).
The
New York City Opera premiered this on March 31, 1949, notably making it
the first grand opera composed by an African American to be produced by
a major company and it received 22 curtain calls. However, evidence has
been clearly shown that the New York critics intentionally panned
Troubled Island due to racism. As a result, there were just two
additional performances. Despite the fact that there were potentially
ideal African-American soloists available at the time, the starring
roles played by Robert Weede and Marie Powers put on 'black' make-up for
the premiere....... oh dear! Had racism not taken priority in this way,
I feel there was a good chance that this would have deservedly gone
down in history as a milestone in American opera.
I
have known this opera and this recording for 20 years or so after
obtaining cassettes from the composer's daughter and good friend, Judith
Anne Still. On first hearing it, I was quite 'blown away' by its impact.
Despite the very limited sound quality of a live recording of the
period (which has been improved in a legal copy of a remastered CD that I
later obtained from WGS Music) you will hear some very fine musical
writing. This is the sound of a really great opera. Whilst the NY
performance is patchy and flawed in a number of ways - more rehearsal
and better direction - there are some very engaging performances by the
soloists. 'Troubled Island' is 'essential listening' to anyone who
wishes to gain an insight into the trailblazing history of American
opera. I have not purchased this 'rip off' version and cannot vouch for
its sound quality. I urge all who are interested to hear this amazing
work to order a legal copy from William Grant Still Music and avoid this
so-called bargain version. By buying the legal copy instead you will
help William Grant Still Music to continue in existence with the hope of
more music emerging in the future, hopefully, new opera productions. By
buying the cheap copy here, you will be helping to destroy the
publishers and deny the world further opportunities to hear the works of
the pioneering composer, William Grant Still. I urge all who appreciate
'big' opera in the late romantic mode to hear this and then explore
further because William Grant Still wrote 9 more operas and those who
explore the William Grant Still website will find a lot more exciting
material on offer! This includes other opera and symphonic premieres,
Try also 'Highway One' a studio performance with Louise Toppin, Robert
Honeysucker, Ray M. Wade, Pamela Dillard and Philip Brunelle with
VocalEssence Ensemble and the St. Olaf Orchestra is available on a
modern recording - Albany TROY 734.
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