“Truth” is about the struggles of the former slave, abolitionist and women’s right pioneer Sojourner Truth.
Evelyn Harris, playing Isabella (Sojourner Truth) sings with John Thomas playing her father Baumfree in the World Premiere of "Truth" a new folk opera about the life of Sojourner Truth performed at the Academy of Music in Northampton.“Truth,” a folk opera about the life, struggles and triumphs of former slave, abolitionist and women’s rights pioneer Sojourner Truth, debuted Thursday night at the historic Academy of Music, and will continue tonight and Saturday.
The show is free, but tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The opera is the brainchild of composer Paula M. Kimper and writer Talaya Delaney, who used the robust music of spirituals and Truth’s own words to weave a compelling tale. Three-quarters of the theater was filled, despite the opening on a rainy, Thursday night. The power of Truth’s life drew many people to check out this new work.
“One of the major reasons I came was my mother-in-law, who is from the South, so I appreciate seeing this story,” said Eduardo Haywood, of Springfield. “As a black man, it’s great tribute to black heritage. It shows how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. I appreciate this venue being so open to presenting it.”
Truth’s story is an amazing one. Born in 1797 in Ulster County, N.Y., as Isabella Hardenbergh, she suffered the indignities that were visited upon all slaves: She was treated like property and forbidden even some of the most basic human rights. After being sold five times and having five children, she felt the call to begin preaching the evils of slavery as New York began its emancipation laws.
Later, in Northampton, she joined the Northampton Association of Education and Industry, an abolitionist group that raised livestock, ran saw mills, and operated a silk factory in the spirit of fostering cooperative labor.
A captivating speaker, Truth did numerous engagements railing against slavery and advocating for women’s rights. Though unable to read or write, Truth was able to publish, with the help of friends, “The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave.” The book gave her an income to augment her speaking performances and raised money to fight slavery. Later, she was able to purchase a home in Northampton.
After the Civil War, she even visited President Abraham Lincoln. She sold her Northampton home and joined a speakers bureau, traveling and speaking on such subjects as abolition, temperance and capital punishment.
In the opera, Truth is played by Evelyn Harris, formerly a singer with Sweet Honey in the Rock. She brings an appropriately soulful and earthy alto voice to the role.
Another audience member at Thursday’s show, Christine Foudy, of the Florence section where a statue of Truth now stands, summed up why the show is worth seeing.
“Sojourner, she rocked,” Foudy said. “Everyone should know this story.”
For information call the academy at (413) 584-9032.