Organization

Set designer

Luther Lewis III

Stage director

Pianist

Nate Ben-Horin

Singer

Marcus Jefferson

Prince

Hannah Marie Bullock

Ola /Garner/ Moremi

Artega Wright

Spurton / Nat Turner

Skye Marie Johnson

Melody Caldwell / Ruth

Robert Kerr

Jefferson Caldwell / Slave Catcher

Eric McKeever

Henry "Box" Brown

Aryssa Leigh Burrs

Ramona

Justin T. Swain

Ulysses / Davids

Lighting designer

Maxx Finn

Conductor

Antoine T. Clark

Costume designer

Esther Abena Sands

Chorus master

Larry Griffin

Adia Evans

Vanqui

Opera Columbus

English

Vanqui -  (The Prisoner of Freedom)

United States

Vanqui Burrs

Public

The Prisoner of Freedom

Approved

Vanqui is a tale of death and resurrection through the eyes of the heroine, Vanqui, a 19th-century enslaved woman. The original music of Leslie Savoy Burrs and the libretto by John A. Williams frames 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, the married couple is torn apart to later be cruelly murdered. They resurrect as spirits who ride the wind searching for each other and for the Baobab tree and during their journey, they encounter famous freedom fighters including Henry “Box” Brown and Nat Turner. Reunited in the end, Vanqui and Prince symbolize the triumph of enslaved people over an inhumane system and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

The Prisoner of Freedom by Burrs, From (2022/2022), Directed by Luther Lewis III,, Conductor Antoine T. Clark

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Programme, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues