Songs of Harriet Tubman

Description

Soprano, Piano — The four “name” arias in HARRIET TUBMAN: When I crossed thatLine To Freedom, portray stages in the title character's transformationfrom slave to freedom-fighter.First, as a child, she introduces herself as “Araminta,” who is oftencalled, “Minty.” Her naïve prattlings establish a dramatic contrastbetween childhood's contentment and the harsh realities of slaveexistence.“My name is Harriet, now. Don't call me Minty any more,” declares theteenaged heroine. Having survived a series of abusive masters and adebilitating injury, she asserts her rites of womanhood through theshedding of her childhood moniker.The grown Harriet Tubman reintroduces herself as a free woman,recounting the harrowing tale of escape from slavery. Confronted bybittersweet poignancy at having crossed the line to freedom withoutfamily to welcome her, she is inspired towards a new goal: returninghome to rescue loved ones.In the final aria, Tubman, a seasoned conductor on the UndergroundRailroad, embraces the folkloric title given to her by escapees andaspiring runaways. “I am 'Moses, the Liberator,'” she proclaims. Hertransformation is complete.