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The Gospel at Colonus
Composer:Bob Telson
Librettist:Lee Breuer
Synopsis
Set in the context of a black Pentecostal service, The Gospel at Colonus is an exuberant retelling of Sophocles' classic Oedipus at Colonus. With book, original Lyrics, and direction by Lee Breuer and original music, adapted Lyrics, and music direction by Bob Telson, this original cast recording, featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama as Oedipus, was made in a 1985 performance at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia. With the ground-shaking thunder of a gospel revival meeting, this Obie-winning adaptation celebrates the 2,400-year-old myth of Oedipus' redemption with a rousing gospel and blues score. The Washington Post called the show "dramatically audacious" and praised the album's "powerhouse performances" and "sheer massed strength of the various gospel choirs." The New York Times calls it "an exhilarating musical celebration."

Productions
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COMPANYTITLEDATES
Opera MississippiThe Gospel at Colonus1/1/2005 - 1/29/2005


OPERA America/Opera.ca Grants Awarded
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GRANT NAMEYEAR
The Opera Fund: Audience Development 2005

Title Information

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Musical Style
American gospel music blended with jazz, rock, and popular music

Vocal & Musical Forces
Drums, electric bass, electric guitar, piano, organ, synthesizer, trumpet, trombone, soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones; several small gospel vocal groups, one large gospel chorus, seven actors

Original Cast
Morgan Freeman, Isabell Monk, Carl Lumbly, Carl Williams, Jr., Jevetta Steele, Robert Earl Jones, Kevin Davis, Clarence Fountain and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, J.J. Farley and the Original Soul Stirrers, J.D. Steele Singers, The Colonus Messengers, Wesley Boyd's Gospel Music Workshop Choir, and others.



 
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