GLORY DENIED: A NEW AMERICAN OPERA
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time for this Past Event
- Friday, Feb 24, 2023 7:30pm - 5pm
Location
Jefferson Center- 541 Luck Ave
Details
Opera Roanoke will present the American opera, Glory Denied, on February 24 and 26 at the Jefferson Center. The opera chronicles the life of Col. Jim Thompson, America’s longest-held prisoner from the Vietnam War. Col. Thompson was held captive in the jungles of southeast Asia for nine years, spending five of those years in solitary confinement. His only source of strength were letters sent to him by his wife Alyce, prior to his capture.
After enduring unimaginable hardships in captivity from 1964-73, Col. Thompson returned to a home and country he hardly recognized. This opera explores family dynamics during a turbulent time in our nation’s history through the lens of only two characters; Jim Thompson and his wife Alyce, portrayed by two sopranos, a tenor, and a baritone.
Opera Roanoke will present this work to honor the stories and perspectives of veterans in the community. Prior to both performances, Opera Roanoke will host a Veteran’s Fair in the Jefferson Center Atrium to bring awareness of veteran support groups to those who may be interested in identifying additional resources and volunteer opportunities.
