Appomattox approaches his troops and confirms the SF surrender; they can go home now, and if War Memorial Opera House they are as good citizens as they were as soldiers, then he will be proud of them. San Francisco, CA US Broadcast date: 2008-09-20 As the generals depart, soldiers and civil- ians advance, and the McLean household Lineage: fm (Onkyo is systematically ravaged by souvenir TX8511)>SoundBlaster (Live! 24 bit hunters. Rapacity and greed—harbingers External)> of the future—violently intrude on the wav(CD Wave Editor)>flac heels of a moment of historic reconcili- ation.

EPILOGUE: upped by mdshrk1 Julia Grant leads a group of women who lament the tragedy and inevitability of war.

MP3 Version An opera by Synopsis: Scene 3 — On the eve of the Union’s attack rejects the stratagem, saying that the soldiers Libretto by Christopher Hampton on Richmond, Julia Grant reflects on the hard would have to revert to robbing and plundering Music by Philip Glass Prologue: April, 1865 years of her husband’s earlier life, including his just to subsist. With no remaining alternative, business failures and alcoholism, but she recalls Lee writes to Grant and asks for a meeting to It was a turning point in American history, and The brutal is drawing to a her mother’s prophecy that he would rise to be discuss surrender. The full, crushing weight of the climax of a powerful personal drama about close. Three scenes unfold simultaneously as the highest in the land. Now she worries about his decision weighs upon him as he accepts the two proud men. After four years and the loss Julia (Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant), Mary Custis (Mrs. the horrible strain the long, bloody war has put reality of defeat. of 600,000 lives, Confederate General Robert Robert E. Lee) with her daughter Agnes, and on him. Grant assures her that the seemingly E. Lee surrendered to his Union counterpart, with her seamstress Eliza- endless killing will soon be over. ACT II: April 9, 1865, and later times General Ulysses S. Grant, in Appomattox Court beth Keckley, a former slave, separately express House, Virginia, bringing the Civil War to an end. their anxieties, then jointly voice their forebod- Scene 4 — Refugees flee Richmond amid terror The meeting to negotiate the surrender is being The intense emotions of this landmark day and ing about the suffering that is imminent. and chaos, but Mrs. Lee and Agnes remain in prepared in a house owned by Wilbur McLean the historic weeks leading up to it are compel- their home. A troop of black union soldiers in the small town of Appomattox Court House, lingly conveyed by the hypnotic music of Philip ACT I: April 2–9, 1865 rejoices in the city’s capture. T. Morris Chester, Virginia. Lee arrives impeccably dressed, while Glass in this highly anticipated world premiere. a black journalist from the Philadelphia Press, Grant appears in a battered, stained uniform. The dazzling creative team includes Academy Scene 1 — Aboard his floating headquarters writes a triumphant news dispatch while After polite reminiscence about their past Award winner Christopher Hampton (libret- on the Potomac, President Lincoln meets with seated in the Speaker’s chair at the Confederate acquaintance, Lee finally raises the subject of tist), renowned stage director Robert Woodruff Grant and enunciates his River Queen Doctrine, Congress. Greeted in Richmond by a crowd of surrender. Grant proposes the broader terms (director) and acclaimed champion of new music outlining the generous terms of surrender to be newly freed black laborers, Lincoln raises one and proceeds to write them down. Dennis Russell Davies (conductor). offered to Lee. Their wives arrive, Mrs. Lincoln who had dropped to his knees, saying he must voicing petty grievances, while Mrs. Grant is kneel only to God, in thanks for his liberty. Their discussion is interrupted at times by CAST steadfast and calm. Hearing of the success of With her house now under occupation, Mrs. scenes from both the near and distant future, the day’s battle, Grant orders the final assault on Lee protests to Union General Rawlins that starkly calling to mind that, although these PRODUCTION Richmond. placing a black soldier as a sentry is an insult. two generals are conducting themselves with Rawlins apologetically replaces the guard with uncommon civility, grace, and humanity, Robert E. Lee: Dwayne Croft / Scene 2 — Mrs. Lee rejects her husband’s advice a white man. long-established inequalities and injustices will Brian Leerhuber (10/24) to flee Richmond before the coming battle. Lee remain for generations to come. Ulysses S. Grant: Andrew Shore* reflects on his reason for joining the Confed- Scene 5 — Grant and Lee exchange a series of Julia Dent Grant: Rhoslyn Jones eracy despite having been offered the leadership letters. Grant proposes that Lee surrender to Grant proposes--to Lee’s great relief--that all Mary Custis Lee: Elza van den Heever of the Union forces: his invincible loyalty to his avoid further bloodshed. Lee’s initial response is officers and men be allowed to return to their Mary Todd Lincoln: Heidi Melton home state of Virginia. General Cobb arrives to equivocal, only inquiring as to the terms Grant homes after handing over their arms. Grant Elizabeth Keckley: Kendall Gladen protest the proposal, favored by Lee, of arming might propose, and later suggesting they meet then accedes to Lee’s request that all his men, T. Morris Chester: Noah Stewart slaves to fight for the Confederacy. If slaves can to discuss “peace” rather than “surrender.” But not just the officers, be allowed to keep their : Jeremy Galyon make good soldiers, he argues, where does that when Lee receives news of his encircled army’s horses, so that they can return home to work Brig. Gen. Edward Alexander: Chad Shelton* leave their theory of slavery? Lee responds that failed breakout attempt, he realizes his options their farms. The meeting concludes as Lee signs Julia Agnes Lee: Ji Young Yang his business is war, not theorizing. are disappearing. An aide proposes a radi- the letter accepting the terms, and the generals Edgar Ray Killen: Philip Skinner cal change of strategy: guerrilla warfare. Lee shake hands. After Lee bows and leaves, Lee Naughty Dog Philip Glass Appomattox Time: 79:16 5:50 4:56 2:19 8:04 9:47 8:42 7:02 3:20 8:48 11:50 Act I Announcer 8:32 Time: 66:48 3:33 6:55 4:24 6:40 6:46 8:18 5:26 5:25 Announcer/Interview 19:16 Trade Freely. NotForSale.

Philip Glass Appomattox Glass Philip Naughty Dog Naughty