Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, circa 1818 — February 20, 1895) an American abolitionist, women’s suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman, minister and reformer. Escaping from slavery, he made strong contributions to the abolitionist movement and achieved a public career that led to his being called “The Sage of Anacostia” and “The Lion of Anacostia”. Douglass is one of the most prominent figures in African American and United States history.

He was a firm believer in the equality of all people, whether black, female, Native American, or recent immigrant. He was fond of saying, “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”

Dorothy Rudd Moore (1940-2022) was commissioned by Opera Ebony in 1978 to write an opera. Frederick Douglass, for which she also wrote the libretto, was premiered at Aaron David Hall at City College, in New York City in 1985 to wide critical acclaim. Frederick Douglass was admired for its high level of artistry and seriousness of purpose.

Dorothy’s setting of the story begins in 1844 at an anti-slavery convention in Plymouth, Mass, and concludes in Tremont Hall in Boston, on Dec. 31, 1862, as the group awaits news from the President, Abraham Lincoln, for confirmation that he has signed the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order by the federal government to become law on January 1, 1863 declaring that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.

The opera is in three Acts.

Contact ACA for grand rights. Excerpts from the whole may be requested. Arrangements of any sections from Ms. Moore’s opera are encouraged, but require licensing and permissions from American Composers Alliance.

Cast of characters:

John A. Collins – Baritone
William Lloyd Garrison – Tenor
Man/Heckler #2 – Baritone
Frederick Douglass – Bass-Baritone
Heckler #1 – Tenor
Anna Douglass – Mezzo-Soprano
Nathan Johnson – Tenor
Reverend Butler – Baritone
Mary Johnson – Soprano
Shields Green – Bass Baritone
Luke – Baritone
Harriet Tubman – Mezzo-Soprano
Ned – Tenor
Jenny – Soprano
Mayor – Tenor
Captain John Brown – Baritone
Mr. Kagi – Tenor

Abolitionists, friends, girl, boy, baby, residents, marchers, John Browns army, sentry, two guards, Federal troops, dream figure, fugitive slaves.