Monday, October 29, 2018

OperaCréole's original Tricentennial production of Les Lions de la Reconstruction a Great Success













(Richard Hobson, the fictional Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez, puts his vote in the ballot box with Mark Roudané, the real life great-great grandson of Dr. Roudanez- in the non singing role of his great-great uncle Jean Baptiste Roudanez, friend of Frederick Douglas)

Photo credit: Cedric Ellsworth, NOLA Vieux Photography 

OperaCréole writes:

OperaCréole's original Tricentennial production of 
Les Lions de la Reconstruction
The Lions of Reconstruction: 
From Black Codes to the Ballot Box 
was a great success!! 
What a joy to tell the story of these great composers of color, journalists, and freedom fighters who petitioned President Lincoln for the right to vote.
The opera is built upon music by 19th Century New Orleans free composers of color, with the piano works arranged for strings and piano trio by Tucker Fuller. Additional historical lyrics and melodies by Givonna Joseph, and a hymn by Dr. Marcus St. Julien.


Libretto by Givonna Joseph

International Artists:
Chauncey Packer, as Samuel Snaër
Richard Hobson, as Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez 
Terrance Brown, as Edmond Dédé
Tyrone Chambers, as Basile Barés
Ivan Griffin, as Rodolphe Desdunes
Kenya Lawrence Jackson, as Mother Juliette Gaudin
Robert Wagner, as Father Claude Paschal Maistre
Givonna Joseph, as Sister Marie Josephine Charles and Nellie Murray

and 
Jonathan Parham, as Paul Trevigne
Valencia Pleasant, as Madame Trevigne
Kayla Lewis, as Mademoiselle Georges

Micah Turner, as Captain Andre Cailloux and Babba

Keturah Heard, as Zizi

Joy Meade, as Sylvie Leflet

Special Guests: Zella Palmer, Cree Merriman Jourdain, Jari Honora, Mark Roudané

VIP Talk by
Barbara Trevigne, great-great niece of Paul Trevigne
and Mark Roudané, great-great grandson of Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez

Steven Edwards, conductor
Dr. Wilfred Delphin, piano
Sultana Isham, and Jeff Wilson, strings
Dr. Marcus St. Julien, organ
Lula Elzy, choreographer
Givonna Joseph, Staging Director
Aria Mason, Production Director

Until the lion tells his story, history will always glorify the hunter....African Proverb 
We are ready to take it on tour!!

Help us to continue our work. A monthly donation of $5.00 will go a long way!!

Thank you
Givonna

OperaCréole
Givonna Joseph
Co-Founder, Artistic Director

Aria Mason

Co-Founder, Production Director


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