Atlanta Opera Presents STEELE ROOTS — Preview

A spokesperson describes the event as follows:

“...Winners of the 2023 96-Hour Opera Project, composer Dave Ragland and librettist Selda Sahin, have created a new chamber opera titled Steele Roots, a work inspired by the life and legacy of Carrie Steele Logan, a formerly enslaved woman who dedicates her life to caring for orphaned children in Atlanta. Eminent director Tazewell Thompson mentored the winning team throughout the two-year process of bringing this opera to production.
Steele Roots is an opera that examines themes of legacy, family, and perseverance through the lens of its central character, Carrie Steele. Set in the late 19th century at the Atlanta Termanl train station and moving into the present day, the story follows Carrie, who uses her literacy, integrity, and compassion to care for abandoned children while raising funds by selling her autobiography to establish a permanent home for them.

Carrie’s legacy is explored via Ruth, a 12-year-old in her care who is learning to read, and Raymond, a coworker who supports her efforts. The narrative shifts between past and present as Michael, a modern-day father, arrives seeking a connection to his family roots to become a better father to his newborn daughter. The story explores ideas of community, responsibility, and the enduring influence of one person’s actions. Carrie’s efforts endure in the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home, an Atlanta institution and a testament to her determination and vision. With its blend of music and dialogue, Steele Roots reflects how a single person can change the world for the better..."