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The Civil War and opera never were a good fit. Phillip Glass, the great modern composer has written an opera on Appommatox no less.
For me, I can barely read about Appommatox as it's so sad and tragic, what with the good guys going home in defeat and all. The idea of sitting through an opera on this subject is much too challenging and unpleasant a thought.
But then again, opera is a fairly bizarre form anyway.
We'd have even less to read if the two sides slugged it out more. Appomattox was the first step in healing the rift between neighbors, friends, family and Americans.
It really is, when you think about it: people acting - sort of! - while they sing and gesture, in a very stylized manner, to the accompaniment of very stylized music: no wonder both musical and theatrical purists dislike it.
was merely the final point at which the Confederacy recognized that the war was lost.
The loss came as early as mid 1862, when in retrospect, we see the Confederate loss of Missouri, Kentucky, western Tennessee, much of western Virginia. These areas would never be part of any Confederacy, despite any future success.
By mid 1863, the Confederate army was losing - Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg on July 3; the surrender of Vicksburg on July 4; the defeat of the Confederate attack at Helena, Arkansas on that same day, July 4.
By September, 1864, the Army of Northern Virginia was cut off by important supplies from Alabama and west. Atlanta, as a supply base, no longer existed.
By November, 1864, the supply base in Macon, was cut to Virginia.
By January, 1865, the powder mill in Augusta, could no longer supply the Army of Northern Virginia. This army was beginning to become an army -only on paper.
Appomattox was an end; much of that end had preceeded it.
Appomattox was an end; much of that end had preceeded it.
Like an opera, we knew when the end would come. Appomattox was the heavy lady's last aria.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
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