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By Ben Mattison
10 May 2005

Denyce Graves as Margaret Garner, with members of the Michigan Opera Theatre chorus

Richard Danielpour's Margaret Garner premiered at Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit on May 7.

The opera is based on the true story of an escaped slave who kills her child rather than see her returned to slavey. The libretto is by novelist Toni Morrison.

The world-premiere production stars mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves as Garner; bass-baritone Rodney Gilfrey as her owner, Edward Gaines; and baritone Gregg Baker as her husband, Robert Garner. Soprano Angela Brown is Cilla.

Stefan Lano is the conductor; Kenny Leon directs.

Patdro Harris is the choreographer. Lighting is by Duane Schuler; set design by Marjorie Bradley Kellogg; and costumes by Paul Tazewell.

Photos by John Grigaitis.

From left: Angela Brown as Cilla, Gregg Baker as Robert Garner; John McMaster as Casey

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