H. Leslie Adams - Composer Home Page

<body background="images/slate5.jpg"> <div align="center"> <center> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="200"><img src="images/adams2.jpg" border="2" width="207" height="237"></td> <td width="50%"> <h4>  H. <a name="LESLIE ADAMS">LESLIE ADAMS</a><br>   Composer Home Page</h4> <p>  Composer-in-Residence<br>   Creative Arts, Inc.<br>   9409 Kempton Avenue<br>   Cleveland, Ohio  44108-2940</p> <p>  email: <a href="mailto:CreativeArts@webtv.net"> CreativeArts@webtv.net</a> </td> </tr> </table> </center> </div> <p align="center"> </p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"><a name="Bio"><big><strong>Bio</strong></big></a></p> <p align="left">Born in Cleveland, Ohio.   <strong> <a name="Education"><u>Education</u></a>:</strong>   Cleveland, Ohio., public schools, early training with Dorothy Smith and Mina Eichenbaum (piano), Glenville High School, voice lessons with John Howard Tucker; Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, Ohio, studied composition with Herbert Elwell and Joseph Wood, voice with Robert Fountain, piano with Emil Danenberg, B.M., 1955; studied composition with Robert Starer, 1959; studied composition with Vittorio Giannini, 1960; California State University at Long Beach, studied under Leon Dallin, M.Mus., 1967; Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, studied composition with Marshall Barnes, 1968-73, Ph.D., 1973; studied orchestration with Edward Mattila, Eugene O'Brien, and Marcel Dick, 1978-83.<br> <br> <strong><a name="Composing and Performing Career"><u>Composing and Performing Career</u></a>:   </strong>New York, N. Y. served as piano accompanist for various ballet and dance companies, received numerous performances of his compositions by a variety of artists, 1957-62; Karamu House, Cleveland, Ohio, associate musical director, 1964-65; Kaleidoscope Players, Ration, N. Mex., musical director, 1967-68; Karamu House composer-in-residence, 1979-80; Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio guest composer, 1980; Cleveland Music School Settlement, composer-in-residence, 1981-82, Cleveland, Ohio, Accord Associates, Inc., founder and president, 1980-86, executive vice-president and composer-in-residence, 1986-92; Cleveland, Ohio, Creative Arts, Inc., president and artist-in-residence, 1997-.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a name="Teaching Career"><u>Teaching Career</u></a>:  </strong>Soehl Junior High School, Linden, N. J., vocal music instructor, 1962-63; Raton, N. Mex., secondary schools, vocal music supervisor and choir director,1966-67; Florida A&M Univ., Tallahassee, assistant professor of music, 1968; Kansas Univ. Lawrence, associate professor of music, director of the University choir, director of choral clinics, 1970-78.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a name="Commissions"><u>Commissions</u></a>:  </strong>Broken Arrow Elementary School, 1975; University of Kansas, 1976; Kansas Composers Forum of Kansas Music Teachers Association, 1977; Cuyahoga Community College 1979; Accord Associates, Inc., 1980, 1981; Ohio Chamber Orchestra, 1981-82; Paul Kaye Singers, Minneapolis, Minn., 1985; Borg-Warner Foundation, Center for Black Music Research, Chicago, Ill., 1989; Cleveland Chamber Symphony, 1991; The Cleveland Orchestra, 1994; and Historic First Presbyterian Church of East Cleveland, Ohio, 1997.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a name="Memberships"><u>Memberships</u></a>:  </strong>Life memberships in Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Kappa Lambda, American Choral Directors Association; American Guild of Organists; Advisory Council, Music Arts Association (Cleveland Orchestra), 1982.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a name="Honors/Awards"><u>Honors/Awards</u></a>: </strong>Winner, composition competition, National Association of Negro Women, New York, 1963; National Education Defense Act Fellowship, 1969-70; National Award for Original Composition for Choral Arts, Inc. New York, 1974; National Endowment for the Arts award, 1979; featured composer, "Meet the Artist," Cleveland Public Schools, 1981-82, 1983-84, and 1991; scholar-in-residence, Rockefeller Foundation Study and Conference Center, Bellagio, Italy, 1979; fellowships at the Yaddo Artists Colony in Saratoga Springs, New York, 1980 and 1984; Cleveland Foundation Fellow, 1980; and Jennings Foundation Fellow, 1981.</p> <p align="left"><a name="Peformances"><u><strong>Performances</strong></u></a> include those by the:  Prague Radio Symphony (under Julius Williams); Iceland Symphony (under Everett Lee); Cleveland Orchestra (under Jahja Ling, Gareth Morrell, Mathis Dulack and Alan Gilbert); Buffalo Philharmonic (under Julius Rudel and William-Eddins); Indianapolis Symphony (under William Henry Curry and Charles Darden); Detroit Symphony (under Leslie Dunner); Savannah Symphony (under Phillip Greenberg); Springfield Symphony (under John Ferrito); Oakland-Pontiac Symphony (under David Daniels); Ohio Chamber Orchestra (under Dwight Oltman) and Black Music Repertory Ensemble (under Michael Morgan and Kay George Roberts).  Performances by Metropolitan Opera artists include: Sopranos Martina Arroyo and Veronica Tyler, Mezzo Sopranos Hilda Harris, Barbara Conrad and Florence Quivar; Tenors Seth McCoy and Curtis Rayam; and Baritone Ben Holt.  Other artists include Violinist Paul Zukofsky; Pianists David Garvey and Israela Margalit; Hornist Joseph Eger; Organists James Abbington, Karel Paukert and Leonard Raver; Soprano Janet Alcorn; Tenors Paul Adkins, William Brown and Darryl Taylor; Baritone Donnie Ray Albert; Bass Mark Doss; the Robert Page Singers & Orchestra; and the William Appling Singers & Orchestra.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a name="Major Citations"><u>Major Citations</u></a> </strong>include:   <br> Anderson, Ruth.  "Leslie Adams, composer."  <u>Contemporary American Composers: A Biographical Dictionary</u>.  2nd ed.  Boston: G. K. Hall, 1982.<br> <br> Bandfield, William.  "Leslie Adams, Composer."   In:  <u> Landscapes in Color: Conversations with Black American Composers</u>.  Cpt. 2. Landham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 1998.<br> <br> Dawkins, Darlene.  "Leslie Adams, Composer--A Man and His Music."   Cleveland, Ohio: <u>Clubdate</u>.  Vol.8, No.2, Fall, 1987, p. 48-52.<br> <br> Fain, Kenneth.  "Artists and Their Art: Composer Leslie Adams."   Washington, D.C.: <u>Cultural Post/National Endowment for the Arts</u>, May-June, 1979.<br> <br> Finn, Robert.  "Romantic American Drama Stirs Work on Opera."   Cleveland, Ohio:  Cleveland Plain Dealer, January, 1983.<br> <br> Gray, John.  "Leslie Adams, composer."  <u>Blacks in Classical Music--A Bibliographical Guide to Composers, Performers and Ensembles</u>.  Westport, Conn.:  The Music Reference Collection, No. 15, Greenwood Press, Inc., 1988.<br> <br> <u>Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians</u>.  7th ed. New York:  Groves Dictionaries Inc., 1999.</p> <p align="left">Green-Crocheron, Karen.  "Meet Composer Leslie Adams."   Cleveland, Ohio: <u>Galore Magazine</u>,  May, 1982.<br> <br> Holly, Ellistine Perkins, comp.  <u>Bibliographies of Black Composers and Songwriters: A Supplementary Textbook</u>.  Dubuque: Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1990, p. 56-7.<br> <br> Horne, Aaron.  <u>Woodwind Music of Black Composers</u>.  New York:   Greenwood Press, 1990, p.9.<br> <br> <u>International Dictionary of Black Composers</u>.  Center for Black Music Research, Columbia College Chicago, 1999.<br> <br> <u>International Who's Who in Music and Musicians' Directory</u>.  12th ed., 1990-91.<br> <br> Roach, Hildred.  "Composer Leslie Adams."  <u>Black American Music: Past and Present</u>.  Vol. II. Malabar, Fl.:  Robert E. Kreiger Publishing Co., 1985. p.72-3.<br> <br> Turner, Diana.  "Leslie Adams, Composer." <u>Artspace</u>.  Vol.6, No.6, Sept./Oct. Columbus, Oh.:  Ohio Arts Council, 1983.<br> <br> White, Evelyn D.  <u>Choral Music by Afro-American Composers</u>.  Metuchen, N.J.:  Scarecrow Press, 1981, p. 131.</p> <p align="left"><u>Who's Who in America</u>, 2000.</p> <p align="left"><u>Who's Who in American Music: Classical</u>.  2nd ed. [Jacques Cattell, ed.] New York.<br> <br> <u>Who's Who in Entertainment</u>, 1st ed., Wilmette, Il.:  Macmillan Directory Division, 1989-90.<br> <br> Williams, Yvonne.  "The Making of the Opera, <em>Blake</em>., by Leslie Adams: An Interview."  <u>Detroit Monographs in Musicology/Studies in Music</u>.   Josephine Wright and Samuel A. Floyd, eds., Warren, Mich.:  Harmonie Park Press, 1991.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a name="Leslie Adams Music Archives"><u>Leslie Adams Music Archives</u></a>:</strong>  Special Collections/Rare Books Division, <em>Cleveland Public Library</em>, Cleveland, Ohio, opened 1997.  Over 55 boxes, containing scores, manuscripts, cassettes, compact discs, LP's videocassettes, correspondence, diaries, scrapbooks, photographs, organizational papers, and personal artifacts documenting the life and work of the composer.  [Library of Congress Call No.ML/40010./A225/A3/1932.]   Smaller collection at <em>Center for Black Music Research, Columbia College Chicago</em>; opened 1996.</p> <p align="left"><strong><a name="Publisher information"><u>Publisher information</u></a>:</strong>   Choral works, "Madrigal" by Maleki Music; "Love Song' and "There Was an Old Man" by Lawson-Gould; "Hosanna" by Music 70/80/Walton; "Prelude and Fugue for Organ" and "Etude in G Minor" by Vivace Press, P0 Box 157, Readfield, WI 54969 (800) 543-5429; "Love Expressions" and selected orchestral works by Henry Carl Music, 1926 Barnum Rd., Geneva OH 44141 (216) 466-0629; all others by the American Composers Edition, 170W. 74th St., New York, NY 10023 (800) 376-7662.</p> <p align="left"><strong>For further information, enter "Leslie Adams" into, <a href="http://www.altavista.com">A1taVista</a>, <a href="http://www.aol.com/">AOL</a> or <a href="http://www.yahoo.com">Yahoo</a> search engines on the World Wide Web.</strong></p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"><strong><big>H. </big></strong><a name="Leslie Adams Works"> <big><strong>Leslie Adams Works</strong></big></a></p> <p align="left">Note:  Unless otherwise indicated, all listed works are available form the American Composers Alliance, 170 W. 74th St., New York, New York 10023   (800) 376-7662, and distributed by Creative Arts, Inc.; 9409 Kempton Avenue; Cleveland, Ohio  44108-2940.  Email:  <a href="mailto:CreativeArts@webtv.net">CreativeArts@webtv.net</a> </p> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"><big>   <a name="Instrumental Solos">Instrumental Solos</a></big><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     </p> <p align="center"><big>Violin</big><br> <em><a name="Intermezzo for Violin & Piano">Intermezzo for Violin & Piano</a><br> <a name="Pastorale for Violin & Piano">Pastorale for Violin & Piano</a><br> <a name="Sonata for Violin & Piano">Sonata for Violin & Piano</a></em></p> <p align="center"><big>Cello</big><br> <a name="Sonata for Cello & Piano"><em>Sonata for Cello & Piano</em></a></p> <p align="center"><big>Horn</big><br> <a name="Sonata for Horn & Piano"><em>Sonata for Horn & Piano</em></a></p> <p align="center"><big>Piano</big><br> <a name="Etude in G Minor"><em>Etude in G Minor</em></a> (<a href="#Vivace Press" target="_self">Vivace Press</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">Creative Arts</a>)<br> <a name="Etude in D flat Major"><em>Etude in D flat Major</em></a> (<a href="#Vivace Press" target="_self">VP</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">CA</a>)<br> <a name="Etude in C Major">E<em>tude in C Major</a> </em>(<a href="#Vivace Press" target="_self">VP</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">CA</a>)<br> <a name="Etude in A Minor"><em>Etude in A Minor</em></a> (<a href="#Vivace Press" target="_self">VP</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">CA</a>)<br> <a name="Etude in E Flat Minor"><em>Etude in E Flat Minor</em></a> (<a href="#Vivace Press" target="_self">VP</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">CA</a>)<br> <a name="Etude in G Major"><em>Etude in G Major</em></a> (<a href="#Vivace Press" target="_self">VP</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">CA</a>)<br> <em><a name="Three Preludes for Piano">Three Preludes for Piano</a><br> <a name="Etude in D Minor">Etude in D Minor</a></em></p> <p align="center"><big>Organ</big><br> <a name=""Offering of Love""><em>"Offering of Love</em>"</a><br> <a name="Prelude and Fugue"><em>Prelude and Fugue</em></a></p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Small Instrumental Ensemble"><big>Small Instrumental Ensemble</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><big>Brass</big><br> <a name="Trombone Quartet"><em>Trombone Quartet</em></a></p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Combinations"><big>Combinations</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><a name=""Night Song" for Flute & Harp"><em> "Night Song" for Flute & Harp</em></a></p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Full Orchestra"><big>Full Orchestra</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><em><a name="Ode to Life">Ode to Life</a><br> <a name="Symphony No. 1">Symphony No. 1</a><br> <a name="Western Adventure">Western Adventure</a></em></p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Chamber Orchestra"><big>Chamber Orchestra</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><a name="Love Expressions"><em>Love Expressions</em></a> (<a href="#Henry Carl Music" target="_self">Henry Carl Music</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">CA</a>)</p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">    <a name="Orchestra (Chamber or Full) with Soloists"><big>Orchestra </big><strong>(Chamber or Full) </strong><big>with Soloists</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><a name="CitiScape for Piano & Orchestra"><em>CitiScape for Piano & Orchestra</em></a> (Piano Concerto)<br> <a name="Dunbar Songs"><em>Dunbar Songs</em></a> (Soprano & Ch. Orch.)<br> <a name="Hymn to Freedom"><em>Hymn to Freedom</em></a> (Soprano, Tenor & Baritone, Ch. Orch.)<br> <a name="Western Adventure"><em>Western Adventure</em></a> (<a href="#Henry Carl Music" target="_self">Henry Carl</a> & <a href="#Creative Arts, Inc." target="_self">CA</a>)</p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Orchestra and Chorus"><big>Orchestra and Chorus</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><a name=""Christmas Lullaby""><em>"Christmas Lullaby"</em></a> (Children's Chorus & Full Orchestra) <small>(5 min.)</small></p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Solo Voice"><big>Solo Voice</big></a> <strong><small>(</small>with ranges)</strong><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"><br> </p> <p align="center"><u><big>Daybirth</big><br> </u>(songs on texts of Joette McDonald)<br> <em><a name=""Anniversary Song"">"Anniversary Song"</a> (</em>medium)<br> <em><a name=""Daybirth"">"Daybirth"</a> </em>(medium)<br> <a name=""Flying""><em>"Flying"</em></a> (high or medium-high)<br> <a name=""From a Hotel Room""><em>"From a Hotel Room"</em></a> (high & low)<br> <em><a name=""Love Request"">"Love Request"</a></em> (medium)<br> <a name=""Lullaby Eternal""><em>"Lullaby Eternal"</em></a> (high or med. high)<br> <a name=""Midas, Poor Midas""><em>"Midas, Poor Midas"</em></a> (high)<br> <a name=""Song of Thanks""><em>"Song of Thanks"</em></a> (low or medium)<br> <a name=""Song of the Innkeeper's Children""><em>"Song of the Innkeeper's Children"</em></a> (medium)<br> <a name=""Song to Baby Jesus""><em>"Song to Baby Jesus"</em></a> (high or medium-high)</p> <p align="center"><u><a name="Five Millay Songs"><big>Five Millay Songs</big></a><br> </u><big>AKA <u>Five Songs on Texts of Edna St. Vincent Millay</big><br> </u>Contents:<br> <em>Wild Swans</em>; <em>Branch by Branch</em>; <em>For You There Is No Song</em>; <em>The Return from Town</em>; <em>Gone Again Is Summer the Lovely</em> (high & medium-high) <small>(15 min.)</small></p> <p align="center"><u><a name="Nightsongs"><big>Nightsongs</big></a><br> </u>Contents:<br> <em>Prayer</em>, <em>Drums of Tragedy</em>; <em>The Heart of a Woman</em>; <em> Night Song</em>;<br> <em>Since You Went Away</em>; <em>Creole Girl</em> (high & medium) <small>(20 min.)</small></p> <p align="center"><u><a name="The Wider View"><big>The Wider View</big></a><br> </u>Contents:<br> <em>To the Road!</em>; <em>Homesick Blues</em>; <em>Li'l' Gal </em>(or <em>My Man</em>, for female singer); <em>Love Come and Gone</em>; T<em>he Wider View</em>; <em>Love Rejoices</em> (high) (<small>20 min.)</small></p> <p align="center"><u><big>Collected Songs</big><br> </u><a name=""Alone.. .""><em>"Alone.. ."</em></a> (high voice)<br> <a name=""Amazing Grace""><em>"Amazing Grace</em>"</a> (medium-high) [original work]<br> <a name=""Christmas Lullaby2""><em>"Christmas Lullaby"</em></a> (medium-high)<u><br> </u><a name=""Love Memory""><em>"Love Memory"</em></a> (high or medium-high)<br> <em><a name=""Love Response"">"Love Response"</a></em> (medium-high)<br> <em><a name=""Love Request2"">"Love Request"</a> </em>(high or medium-high)<br> <a name=""My Man2""><em>"My Man"</em></a> (from <u>The Wider View</u>) (high)<br> <a name=""What Love Brings""><em>"What Love Brings"</em></a> (high or medium)</p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Choral Music"><big>Choral Music</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><em><a name=""Hosanna to the Son of David""> "Hosanna to the Son of David"</a> </em>(SATB/Piano)<br> <a href="#Walton Music Corp." target="_self">Walton Music</a>, Frank Pooler Series No. W-2927<br> <br> <a name=""Hymn to All Nations""><em>"Hymn to All Nations"</em></a> (SATB with some divisi & Piano)<br> <br> <a name=""Love Song""><em>"Love Song"</em></a> (SATB/Piano)<br> <a href="#Music 70/80" target="_self">Music 70/80</a> (div. of Lawson-Gould) M70-452</p> <p align="center"><a name=""Madrigal""><em>"Madrigal"</em></a> (SATB)<br> <a href="#Maleki's Music" target="_self">Maleki's Music</a>, NM A-127<br> <br> <a name=""Man's Presence--A Song of Ecology"">"<em>Man's Presence--A Song of Ecology</em>"</a> (2-part Children's Chorus & Piano)<br> <br> <a name=""Psalm 23""><em>"Psalm 23"</em></a> (SATB with Baritone Solo)<br> <br> <a name=""Psalm 121""><em>"Psalm 121"</em></a> (SATB with Solo Quartet)</p> <p align="center"><em><a name=""There Was an Old Man"">"There Was an Old Man"</a> </em>(SATB/Piano)<br> <a href="#Music 70/80" target="_self">Music 70/80</a> (div. of Lawson Gould) M70-448</p> <p align="center"><a name=""Under the Greenwood Tree"">"<em>Under the Greenwood Tree"</em></a> (from <u>As You Like It</u>) (SATB)<br> <br> <a name=""Rememb'ring, Rejoicing""><em>"Rememb'ring, Rejoicing"</em></a> (SATB/Piano)</p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10">     <a name="Dramatic Music"><big>Dramatic Music</big></a><img src="images/Sprite_36.gif" alt="Sprite 36.gif (976 bytes)" width="62" height="10"></p> <p align="center"><a name="Blake"><u>Blake</u></a> (Opera in 4 Acts) <small> (180 mins.)</small><br> <br> <a name="The Congo"><u>The Congo</u></a> (Theater Piece of Solo Readers, Speaking Group, Percussion) <small>(20 mins.)</small><br> (unpublished)<br> <br> <a name="A Kiss in Xanadu"><u>A Kiss in Xanadu</u></a> (Ballet Music) <small> (40 mins.)</small></p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"><a name="About Blake"><strong><big>About <em>Blake</em></big></strong></a></p> <p align="left"><strong><em>Blake</em>.</strong>  Opera in 4 acts by H. Leslie Adams; text by Daniel Mayers (suggested by an idea from a novel of the same name by Martin Delany).</p> <p align="left"><em>Blake</em> tells the poignant story of young love, forced separation, and the search for one another and true love.  The opera opens with a monologue by Blake (tenor), a 30-year old slave on an American plantation in the deep South just prior to the Civil War.  Blake first reflects on his past experiences introspectively, then opens up to address the audience.   Act I is in 3 scenes.  In scene 1, Blake's comrades, Andy and Jack (tenor and baritone) conspire with Blake about a freedom plan.  When Andy and Jack leave, Blake's wife, Miranda (soprano) and Blake sing a tender love duet, prior to Blake's leaving for a journey to Natchez for the plantation master, Major Frank Stevens (baritone).  Blake assures Miranda and their young son, Little Joe.  In scene 2, Blake departs for the journey in front of the main house, watched by plantation slaves (chorus), the plantation mistress Joanna Stevens (soprano), and house guests from Charleston, Isabella Ballard (mezzo soprano) and her brother Judge Whitney Ballard (bass).   Later Frank and the Judge are revealed to be conspirators in a Nationalist plot to conquer Cuba and the Caribbean basin.  In scene 3, Isabella announces that she is taking Miranda away with her, a "gift" from the Major.  Joanna and the Major quarrel over this, but the Major asserts his complete mastery over Miranda and orders her to be bound.  The scene ends with Miranda facing an unknown future.</p> <p align="left">In Act Two Blake returns, excited about what has happened to Miranda.   He and the Major quarrel, leaving the Major expired and Blake a fugitive.  Act Three, scene 1, focuses on Miranda in her new home with the Ballards in Charleston.   Isabella rebukes Miranda in a clash of ideals, and bids Miranda to help her pack for a trip to Cuba.  Miranda, sensing that Blake and Little Joe must be alive and coming closer to her, vows to flee rather than go to a foreign country.  In scene 2, Blake dreams of Miranda as he and Little Joe pause in the forest during their journey.</p> <p align="left">Act Four takes place in the Great Dismal Swamp, where Blake has encountered a long-established maroon camp.  Blake is initiated in a colorful ritual featuring dancers and drummers.  Word of the war is heard, when a wounded woman is brought into camp; it turns out to be Miranda.  A poignant reunion takes place before Miranda dies in Blake's arms.  News of the firing on Ft.Sumpter has established the beginning of the war.  The group plans to move on to the hills until they can join forces led by Lincoln.  Amidst a procession of emotional intensity Miranda is carried away.</p> <p align="center"><big>Chronology of the Opera <strong><em>Blake</em></strong></big></p> <div align="left"> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1980</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>May 8</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Composition draft of opera begun with preliminary orchestration of act 1, scene 1 at Yaddo Artists Colony (Saratoga Springs, New York)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1981</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>March 17</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Composition draft of act 1, scene 2 completed with preliminary orchestration (Cleveland, Ohio)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1983</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>January 21</td> <td valign="top" align="left">In-Progress Concert, chapel of the Western Reserve Academy (Hudson, Ohio): act 1, scenes 1-2</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1983</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>January 23</td> <td valign="top" align="left">In-Progress Concert, Proscenium Theatre, Karamu House (Cleveland): act 1, scenes 1-2</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1983</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>November 3</td> <td valign="top" align="left">In-Progress Concert, National Orff-Schulwerk Association Convention, Stouffer's Inn-on-the-Square (Cleveland): act 1, scenes 1-2</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1984</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>January 5</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Composition draft of act 1, scene 3 completed with preliminary orchestration (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1984</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>February 18</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Composition draft of act 2 completed at Yaddo (Saratoga Springs)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1984</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>March 8</td> <td valign="top" align="left">In-Progress Concert, Afternoon Lecture-Recital of Cuyahoga Community College Music Department, Metropolitan Campus Auditorium (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1984</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>April 9</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Composition draft of act 3, scene 1 completed (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1984</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>May 25</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Composition draft of act 3, scene 2 completed (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1984</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>June 27</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Composition draft of act 4 completed (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1984</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>June 29</td> <td valign="top" align="left">In-Progress Concert, Karamu Summer Arts Program, Proscenium Theatre, Karamu House (Cleveland): act 2</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1985</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>April 11</td> <td valign="top" align="left">In-Progress Concert, Warner Concert Hall, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music (Oberlin, Ohio): excerpts acts 1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1985</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>April 1-May</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Rehearsal Reading, Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra (Cleveland): Prelude to <em>Blake</em></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1985</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>May 12</td> <td valign="top" align="left">In-Progress Concert, Oberlin College Opera Theatre, Finney Chapel (Oberlin): act 1, scene 3</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1985</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>June 20</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Gala Opera Preview, Bolton Theatre, Cleveland Play House (Cleveland): excerpts acts 1-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1986</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>June 5</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Completion of final orchestration of act 1 (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1986</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>July 6</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Completion of final orchestration of act 2 (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1986</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>October 20</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Completion of final orchestration of act 3 (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1986</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>November 3</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Completion of final orchestration of act 4 (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1990</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>January 21</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Cleveland Institute of Music (Cleveland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1991</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>February 19</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Circle Theater, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (Indianapolis, Indiana)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1991</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>October 20</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Pavilion Center, Virginia Beach Symphony (Virginia Beach, Virginia)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1992</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>February 8</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Heinz Hall, Duquesne University Symphony (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1992</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>March 27</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Constitution Hall (Washington, DC.)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1993</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>October 3</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Ohio Theater (Cleveland, Ohio)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1993</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>November 13</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Kaye Playhouse (Grand Opening), Hunter College (New York City)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1993</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>November 21</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Lehmann University (Bronx, New York)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1994</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>September 23</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, William Jewell Concert Series, Folly Theater (Kansas City, Missouri)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1994</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>November 3-4</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented, Iceland Symphony Orchestra (Iceland)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1995</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>February 9</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented at Aaron Davis Hall (New York City)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1995</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>May 26</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented at Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1996</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>September 14</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Arias presented at School of Music, University of Indiana (Bloomington, Indiana)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1997</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>October 24-6</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Complete opera performance of piano-vocal score [with percussion].  Brown Memorial Woodbrook Presbyterian Church (Baltimore, Maryland).   (Three performances.)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1998</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>May 15</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Excerpt performance, Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio)</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>1999</td> <td valign="top" align="left" nowrap>February 27</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Excerpt performance, Palace Theater, Canton Symphony Orchestra (Canton, Ohio)</td> </tr> </table> </div> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4"> <p align="center"><a name="Sources"><strong><big>Publication Sources</big></strong></a></p> <p align="center"><a name="American Composers Alliance"><strong>American Composers Alliance</strong></a><br> 170 W. 74th St.<br> New York, NY  10023<br> (800) 376-7662<br> <br> <a name="Creative Arts, Inc."><strong>Creative Arts, Inc.</strong></a><br> 9409 Kempton Avenue<br> Cleveland, Ohio  44108-2940<br> Email: <a href="mailto:CreativeArts@webtv.net">CreativeArts@webtv.net</a> <br> <br> <a name="Henry Carl Music"><strong>Henry Carl Music</strong></a><br> Donald Miller, president<br> 7588 Middle Ridge Rd.<br> Madison, OH 44057<br> Email: <a href="mailto:hcm@ncweb.net">hcm@ncweb.net</a>  <br> (440) 466 0629<br> <br> <a name="Maleki's Music"><strong>Maleki's Music</strong></a><br> (800) 253-9692<br> <br> <strong><a name="Music 70/80">Music 70/80</a> </strong>and <a name="Walton Music Corp."><strong>Walton Music Corp.</strong></a><br> 170 N. E. 33rd Street<br> Ft. Lauderdale, FL  3333 4</p> <p align="center"><strong><a name="Vivace Press">Vivace Press</a><br> </strong>PO Box 157<br> Readfield, WI  54969<br> (800) 543-5429</p> <p align="center"><a name="Commissions2"><strong><big>Commissions</big></strong></a></p> <p align="center">Negotiated directly by the Composer or Creative Arts, Inc.</p> <hr width="50%" color="#000080" size="4">  <p align="center"> <embed width="130" height="200" src="cpcc3.swf" align="center"><noembed>You need the Flash Plugin to view this content</noembed> </p>  </body>