Irondale Ensemble, American Opera Projects Premiere 'Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom' and 'Color Between the Lines'

It's February, and better than all the feigned Valentine's Day love, now begins our month long in-look into Black history and culture.

This 28-day long celebration is a time of exploration into and study of a people that helped to shape the very foundation of our country.

In order to keep you Classicalites abreast of Black History Month arts news, we're delighted to report that Brooklyn will serve as stage for two worthy tributes.

The Irondale Ensemble Project and American Opera Projects have partnered up for the Lines of Freedom Festival, which celebrates the lives and achievements of the African-American community.

With two shows at the end of the month, Lines of Freedom focuses on the struggle for such during a time of brutal slavery.

The first in the set, Color Between the Lines, portrays abolitionists and newly freed slaves in Brooklyn.

Back when anti-slavery mentality pervaded the borough, it shows the dichotomy between the willingness to end slavery nationwide and the reality of Brooklyn's dependency on the Southern market to sustain wealth.

The latter of the two is entitled Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom--a two-act folk opera created by Nigerian-American composer Nkeiru Okoye.

This opera centers on a girl born into slavery who, ultimately, goes on to conduct the Underground Railroad. Yes, the piece is about Harriet Tubman and her tight-knit family, incorporating renderings of Black spirituals, ragtime, early blues, minstrel songs, work songs, as well as calls and responses from the field.

So, if you would like to reflect on our nation's gut-wrenching (yet uplifting as presented here) history, please join Lines of Freedom at 84 S. Oxford Street in Brooklyn between February 20 and March 1.

Tickets start at $25; seniors, students and matinees pay $15.

For further information please visit their website.

To wit, here is an excerpt from Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom.

And here is a preview for Color Between the Lines.

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