Hudson Hall is set to present “No Cowards in Our Band,” an operatic retelling of the story of Frederick Douglass.

The work, which will take the stage on Nov. 2, 2024, features a libretto by Anthony Knight, Jr. and features Negro Spirituals and arrangements by Orrin Evans. It will be presented in a semi-staged production by Michael Hoffmann and stars Nia Drummond, Edward Washington II, and Gregory Sheppard.

“This performance piece was written around the Negro spiritual,” Knight said in an official press statement. “Before putting even one word to paper, I listened to many Negro spirituals and from them selected nine songs inspired by an Opera Ebony recording I found. I felt not only would I tell a story about Frederick Douglass, but also I would tell important stories about the Civil War and Reconstruction. The result is a performance piece with a Negro spiritual concert at its core.”

“At a time when our democracy is being tested and Americans are being asked to decide the fate of this nation, we look to history to find inspiration and strength” added Hudson Hall’s executive director, Tambra Dillon. “Frederick Douglass’ brilliance as a writer and orator and his courage as an activist provide such inspiration. With Anthony Knight’s powerful libretto, Orrin Evan’s extraordinary musical talents and roots in jazz, Michael Hofmann’s thoughtful direction, the talents of the superb cast performing on Hudson Hall’s historic stage, it promises to be a not-to-be-missed musical experience.”