Posted on Oct 29, 2022
'Omar': Opera based on the true story of an enslaved man shatters myths
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A new opera brings to light a remarkable, long buried American story. It is the true story of an enslaved man who wrote his memoirs in Arabic for future generations to read. He was a Muslim.
Captured in Senegal and brought to Charleston, South Carolina in 1807, he managed to escape but then was re-captured and jailed as a runaway slave. He wrote Koranic verses in Arabic all over the walls of his jail cell. That made him the subject of fascination at the time. A Christian plantation owner wanted to convert him. He was sold again and lived as an enslaved man till he died in his 90s in 1864. His name was Omar Ibn Said.
His autobiography has been adapted into the opera called “Omar.” It is being performed now at the LA Opera in Los Angeles. Here & Now's Celeste Headlee talks with co-composer of the opera Michael Abels and director Kaneza Schaal.
Captured in Senegal and brought to Charleston, South Carolina in 1807, he managed to escape but then was re-captured and jailed as a runaway slave. He wrote Koranic verses in Arabic all over the walls of his jail cell. That made him the subject of fascination at the time. A Christian plantation owner wanted to convert him. He was sold again and lived as an enslaved man till he died in his 90s in 1864. His name was Omar Ibn Said.
His autobiography has been adapted into the opera called “Omar.” It is being performed now at the LA Opera in Los Angeles. Here & Now's Celeste Headlee talks with co-composer of the opera Michael Abels and director Kaneza Schaal.
'Omar': Opera based on the true story of an enslaved man shatters myths
Posted from wbur.org
Music
Theater
Slavery
American History
Islam
Posted >1 y ago
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I am glad the are doing this as inspiration to others!
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SSG Michael Noll
CWO4 Terrence Clark CWO3 Dave Alcantara CWO3 Dennis M. CW3 Harvey K. SGM Bill Frazer CSM Bob Stanek CMSgt (Join to see) MSG Andrew White MGySgt (Join to see) MSG Greg Kelly 1SG Joseph Dartey SMSgt Lawrence McCarter MSG Roy Cheever MSG Steven Hankton SFC (Join to see) SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM SFC Michael McCauley SFC Ralph E Kelley SFC Stephen King SFC William Farrell
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Captured in Senegal and brought to Charleston, South Carolina in 1807, he managed to escape but then was re-captured and jailed as a runaway slave. He wrote Koranic verses in Arabic all over the walls of his jail cell. That made him the subject of fascination at the time. A Christian plantation owner wanted to convert him. He was sold again and lived as an enslaved man till he died in his 90s in 1864. His name was Omar Ibn Said.
His autobiography has been adapted into the opera called “Omar.” It is being performed now at the LA Opera in Los Angeles. Here & Now's Celeste Headlee talks with co-composer of the opera Michael Abels and director Kaneza Schaal.
His autobiography has been adapted into the opera called “Omar.” It is being performed now at the LA Opera in Los Angeles."
..."Captured in Senegal and brought to Charleston, South Carolina in 1807, he managed to escape but then was re-captured and jailed as a runaway slave. He wrote Koranic verses in Arabic all over the walls of his jail cell. That made him the subject of fascination at the time. A Christian plantation owner wanted to convert him. He was sold again and lived as an enslaved man till he died in his 90s in 1864. His name was Omar Ibn Said.
His autobiography has been adapted into the opera called “Omar.” It is being performed now at the LA Opera in Los Angeles. Here & Now's Celeste Headlee talks with co-composer of the opera Michael Abels and director Kaneza Schaal.
His autobiography has been adapted into the opera called “Omar.” It is being performed now at the LA Opera in Los Angeles."
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