Official Kim and Reggie Harris Opera Webpage

Now available for production by Opera Companies.

Kim and Reggie are proud to announce the completion of a one-act opera to be presented to student and family audiences:

FRIENDS OF FREEDOM: An Underground Railroad Story

Opera For Young Audiences (K-6) One Act (2 Scenes) SATB with Piano

Libretto by Kim R. Harris Score by Kim R. Harris and Wm. Glenn Osborne C. 2003

Available for perusal: PIANO-VOCAL SCORE LIBRETTO DEMONSTRATION CD

For Performance Information Please Contact: VNI Vivian Niwes 303-814-1500 info@vnientertainment.com

RUNNING TIME: approximately 45 minutes: One Act (2 Scenes)

CHARACTERS

BIBIANNA FREEMAN (30-35 yrs.) MEZZO SOPRANO African American Underground Railroad Agent

HANNAH SOLOMON (16-18 yrs.) SOPRANO German Jewish American Underground Railroad Station Master

(HENRY) GARDENER (20-25 yrs.) BARITONE African American Underground Railroad Conductor

REV. JOHN THOMAS (35-40 yrs.) TENOR Scottish American MInister and Abolitionist

(All characters are composite figures. The story is based on the life experiences and historical facts surrounding those involved in the Underground Railroad. All vocal parts are sung unless otherwise indicated.)

BACKGROUND

After her own escape, Underground Railroad icon Harriet Tubman (1821-1913) began leading others to freedom in 1850. It was also in this year that the Fugitive Slave Law, passed by Congress, required that any escaped slave must be returned to their master. Made bold by the new powers granted them by this law, more slave catchers than ever came into free states looking for runaways. During the 1850's, Underground Railroad activity also increased, including many successful and unsuccessful rescue attempts of fugitive slaves, captured in the North and jailed before being sent back to slavery.

The Underground Railroad was neither beneath the earth, though occasionally an existing tunnel was used, nor a train with tracks and steam. The Underground Railroad was people; free, fugitive and enslaved, African Americans, along with persons of different races, religions and backgrounds, united to work for freedom. Schools, churches and other halls were used for anti-slavery meetings. Free men and women, former slaves and their allies, worked against slavery by making speeches, writing books and pamphlets and collecting clothes and money for use by those who ran from slavery. Their efforts also included daring escapes, clandestine hiding places for runaways and secret codes in songs, letters and quilts. Abolitionists work for freedom was, many times, met with great resistance and anger. Famed former slave and abolitionist speaker Frederick Douglass was beaten several times for making speeches against slavery in Northern states. No matter the dangers, however, courageous Friends of Freedom continued to work together, until slavery was finally abolished in the United States.

SYNOPSIS

Scene One: Abolitionists Meeting Hall

In 1858, led by Underground Railroad agent Bibianna Freeman, the Friends of Freedom organize an anti-slavery meeting while waiting for the arrival of a runaway from slavery. Little do they know that Gardener, one of their own number, is also a fugitive from slavery, who has been tracked by a slave catcher for over a year. Remembering the daring escape of Henry "Box" Brown, Bibianna, along with Rev. Thomas and Hannah Solomon, create their own ingenious plan for Gardeners escape.

Scene Two: Hannaha's Parents Home and Yard

Reunited at the home of Hannaha's parents, the friends soon share another danger, this time from Hannaha's fearful neighbors. Both Gardener, a fugitive from slavery and Hannah, an Underground Railroad Station Master, must now escape. With great courage, the Friends of Freedom work together one last time.