Vanqui

VANQUI is a tale of death and resurrection through the eyes of the heroine, Vanqui, a 19th century slave woman. The original music of Leslie Savoy Burrs and the libretto by John A. Williams brings new sound and text to this performance by framing a uniquely American experience in a compelling, multi-dimensional work of art. This opera portrays the story of two Africans, Vanqui and Prince. Enslaved in America, this married couple is forcibly separated and then both are cruelly murdered. They are resurrected as spirits who ride the wind searching for each other and for the Baobab tree. During their journey, they encounter famous freedom fighters including Harriet Tubman, Henry "Box" Brown, Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, and John Brown. Reunited in the end, Vanqui and Prince symbolize the triumph of slaves over an inhumane system and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Vanqui
• YouTube

[kinddude]

THANK YOU for posing this! This past weekend Carmen Balthrop spoke of this deep and important story. And sung a short excerpt of the lullaby. But nothing prepared me for this wondrously beautiful composition. PLEASE release this entire recording.