from Prologue of the English opera Blake by Leslie Adams

Libretto: Daniel Mayers

Role: Blake, 30 year-old slave on a southern plantation, husband of Miranda

Voice Part: tenor

Setting: a plantation in the Deep South, the United States, early 1860s

Synopsis: Blake muses on his past, considers his present plight and future destiny.

from Act IV of the English opera Blake by Leslie Adams

Libretto: Daniel Mayers

Role: Blake, 30 year-old slave on a southern plantation, husband of Miranda

Voice Part: tenor

Setting: the Great Dismal Swamp, southern Virginia, 1861

Synopsis: Blake responds to his supporters after being initiated into a brotherhood fellowship in this arioso.

from Act I, Scene 3 of the English opera Blake by Leslie Adams

Libretto: Daniel Mayers

Role: Isabella Ballard, house guest on the Stevens plantation, sister of Judge Ballard

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano

Setting: a plantation in the Deep South, the United States, early 1860s

Synopsis: Isabella sings a sharp, dramatic deunciation of Miranda for being too bold and proud, vowing, "...the ashes of your soul will warm my heart!"

from Act III, Scene 2 of the English opera Blake by Leslie Adams

Libretto: Daniel Mayers

Role: Miranda, slave on a southern plantation, wife of Blake

Voice Part: soprano

Setting: the Ballard home, Charleston, South Carolina, early 1860s

Synopsis: Miranda comments on her adverse relationship with her mistress, Isabella, vowing to flee than go with on a trip with her mistress; then, imagining her baby Little Joe as she once held him in her arms, sings a tender lullaby.

from Act I, Scene 3 of the English opera Blake by Leslie Adams

Libretto: Daniel Mayers

Role: Miranda, slave on a southern plantation, wife of Blake

Voice Part: soprano

Setting: a plantation in the Deep South, the United States, early 1860s

Synopsis: After her master decides to give her to Isabella Ballard which will separate her from her husband Blake, Miranda prays for deliverance from bondage.