(slow orchestral music) - [Narrator] William Grant Still is an artist in whom all Americans can take pride.

For much of his life, he was spoken of as the dean of American negro composers.

In fact, he was simply one of our finest talents of any race.

His struggle and his achievement are worthy of being declared a National Historic Landmark.

His "Afro-American Symphony" was the first major work by a Black American to be played by a major US orchestra.

In 1936, Still became the first Black American to lead such an orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl.

The conductor, Leopold Stokowski, became one of the composer's champions.

But performances were not easy to secure.

William Grant Still lay outside the modernist mainstream.

Of his seven operas, only three have been produced.

One of these is "A Bayou Legend," written in 1941.

It waited for 33 years for its first performance in Jackson, Mississippi by Opera/South.

Now "A Bayou Legend" comes to television.

(lively orchestral music) ♪ Children of the world ♪ ♪ You asked from whence I come ♪ ♪ And with abound ♪ ♪ You call for tales of lands afar ♪ ♪ Well, I come ♪ ♪ From a bayou ♪ ♪ Where a folk dwell ♪ ♪ Who are blessed with more than mortal law ♪ ♪ They tell around their house a story ♪ ♪ A tale romantic ♪ ♪ Of long ago ♪ ♪ Near the green and marshy bayou ♪ ♪ I saw townsfolk stop to pray ♪ ♪ For at the scene of my story ♪ ♪ Wondrous things are known to occur ♪ ♪ Their heavenly music ♪ ♪ Fills the world ♪ ♪ Bursting of beauty ♪ ♪ There in the grasses linger fairies ♪ ♪ The treetops whisper sounds of magic ♪ ♪ Charmed songs ♪ ♪ The village is enchanted ♪ ♪ Near the green and marshy bayou ♪ ♪ Townsfolk kneel each day in prayer ♪ ♪ That life and love may be theirs forever ♪ ♪ Listen, children of the world ♪ ♪ To the legend of the bayou ♪ ♪ The tale of a spirit lady ♪ ♪ And a love that yet endures ♪ ♪ In realms unseen ♪ (slow orchestral music) ♪ Because faint whisperings ♪ ♪ Of practices long condemned ♪ ♪ Have lately reached my ears ♪ ♪ The text of my sermon today ♪ ♪ Comes from the 20th chapter of Leviticus ♪ ♪ 27th the verse ♪ ♪ A man, also a woman ♪ ♪ That hath a familiar spirit ♪ ♪ Or that is a wizard ♪ ♪ Shall surely ♪ ♪ Be put to death ♪ ♪ My good man, I beg you, go to church today ♪ ♪ To church ♪ ♪ And spoil a morning so gay ♪ ♪ But forest people go to church ♪ ♪ Don't leave our morals in the lurch ♪ ♪ No, no, again, no ♪ ♪ We will not go to church ♪ ♪ Be quiet, fools, remember, 'tis the Lord's day ♪ ♪ Then must I whisper like this ♪ ♪ That I won't do ♪ ♪ The Lord give us this day ♪ ♪ To do as we will ♪ ♪ Come, let's forget the priest whispering ♪ ♪ What's he saying now ♪ ♪ I'll find out ♪ ♪ Familiar spirit are they ♪ ♪ With rites that they perform ♪ ♪ In the light of the moon ♪ ♪ He says spirits are evil ♪ ♪ And witches, too ♪ ♪ I know a black-eyed witch who is not bad ♪ ♪ And I like spirits ♪ ♪ They're very good ♪ ♪ The spirits in wine, the spirits in ale ♪ ♪ They can be spirits, too ♪ ♪ The fruit of the vine ♪ ♪ Would have a good (indistinct) to you ♪ ♪ And you, and you ♪ ♪ Such spirits warmth would bring ♪ ♪ To the ghastliest of ghosts ♪ ♪ If the stomach could but cling ♪ ♪ To joys it loved the most ♪ ♪ To earthly joys it loved the most ♪ ♪ To joys it loved the most ♪ ♪ There are spirits we like, spirits we hate ♪ ♪ And other spirits, too ♪ ♪ But the spirits we strike when we felicitate ♪ ♪ Will never bid adieu ♪ ♪ The spirits in ale ♪ ♪ The spirits in us ♪ ♪ We'll never bid them adieu, we'll never bid them adieu ♪ ♪ Here, you sinners, what mean you ♪ ♪ Disturbing the peace on the Lord's day ♪ ♪ We were just making up our minds ♪ ♪ One minute more and we'd have come to terms ♪ ♪ But you know ♪ ♪ You never put your good in such ♪ ♪ Be gone, now ♪ ♪ Let us hear our sermon in peace ♪ ♪ No man wants peace more than we ♪ (somber orchestral music) ♪ And verily ♪ ♪ I say unto you ♪ ♪ That all spirits of the (indistinct) ♪ ♪ He who hears their voices is a traitor ♪ ♪ And should be punished accordingly ♪ ♪ God speaks not through spirits ♪ ♪ But through the words of his Bible ♪ ♪ And through the ministers ♪ ♪ Of his church ♪ ♪ In infinite mercy, Lord ♪ ♪ Pray, let us dwell with Thee ♪ ♪ In infinite wisdom, Lord ♪ ♪ Let us commune with Thee ♪ ♪ In reverent humbleness ♪ ♪ Let us be worthy of Thee ♪ ♪ Through every day let us give praise to Thee ♪ ♪ Give praise to Thee ♪ ♪ In infinite compassion, Lord ♪ ♪ Smile down on us ♪ ♪ In infinite mercy ♪ ♪ Have pity on us ♪ ♪ Who lights our pathway ♪ ♪ In Thee we'll trust ♪ ♪ (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Protect us ♪ ♪ Who lights our pathway ♪ ♪ In Thee we'll trust ♪ ♪ In Thee ♪ ♪ We'll trust ♪ ♪ In infinite mercy, Lord ♪ ♪ Let us dwell with Thee ♪ ♪ In infinite wisdom, Lord ♪ ♪ Let us commune with Thee ♪ ♪ In reverent (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Let us be worthy of Thee ♪ ♪ Through every day let us give praise ♪ ♪ To Thee ♪ ♪ Give praise ♪ ♪ To Thee ♪ ♪ Let us stand for the prayer and benediction ♪ ♪ Lord, we pray that Thou wilt bless this day ♪ ♪ And send each deed and word ♪ ♪ To help our fellow men ♪ ♪ Lord, we pray that we may be worthy ♪ ♪ Of Thy trust ♪ ♪ And in every way, deserve the life ♪ ♪ Thou gavest us ♪ ♪ 'Til we meet again, may God bless and guide us ♪ ♪ Amen, amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Good morning, Manzella Park ♪ ♪ 'Tis long since I have seen you ♪ ♪ How are your four sisters-in-law?

♪ ♪ They enjoy the best of health ♪ ♪ I thought the sermon splendid ♪ ♪ The best we've had so far ♪ ♪ Tell me, how work on your goods progresses ♪ ♪ Quite well ♪ (solemn orchestral music) ♪ Bazile, did you enjoy the preaching ♪ ♪ No, I don't agree with that teaching ♪ ♪ What's that?

♪ ♪ My parents are now in Spirit Land ♪ ♪ No one can make me believe they are evil ♪ ♪ Bazile, be careful ♪ ♪ Such words, a witch ♪ ♪ You'd better remember the sermon you just heard ♪ ♪ I do remember, perhaps too well ♪ ♪ For that teaching disturbs me greatly ♪ ♪ Bazile, my son ♪ ♪ Your words are heard ♪ ♪ Our Father above ♪ ♪ Is listening ♪ ♪ Bazile, my son ♪ ♪ Have you forgotten our Lord ♪ ♪ Who has never yet forgotten you ♪ ♪ You should not scorn the boon of His regard ♪ ♪ You should not let your lips ♪ ♪ Speak thus of evil ♪ ♪ The church is always right ♪ ♪ Its holy word you should not defy ♪ ♪ Though you take no pity on me ♪ ♪ Who have given my whole life to you ♪ ♪ Bazile, my son ♪ ♪ Your words are heard ♪ ♪ Lest you retract them ♪ ♪ There will be sent upon our village ♪ ♪ A terrible calamity ♪ ♪ A terrible ♪ ♪ Calamity ♪ ♪ There will be sent on our village ♪ ♪ A terrible calamity ♪ ♪ Here, Clothilde ♪ ♪ You look as pretty as a bride ♪ ♪ When will you announce the wedding day ♪ ♪ Ask Bazile ♪ ♪ I have nothing to announce ♪ ♪ You are joking, tell us ♪ ♪ We all know about you and Clothilde ♪ ♪ You know that I know nothing ♪ ♪ It can't be true, so tell us ♪ ♪ I must go now ♪ ♪ And I must be going, too ♪ ♪ Bazile will not embarrass you longer ♪ ♪ What have you told them, Clothilde ♪ ♪ I told them nothing that they can't see for themselves ♪ ♪ And what is that ♪ ♪ That we're in love ♪ ♪ They think we've hesitated too long ♪ ♪ They wonder when the wedding will be ♪ ♪ There will be no wedding ♪ ♪ You know quite well I don't love you ♪ ♪ I love ♪ ♪ Yes ♪ ♪ I don't know ♪ ♪ That's foolish ♪ ♪ You must know her name ♪ ♪ Is it Camille or Laura ♪ ♪ Don't insist, isn't it enough ♪ ♪ That I don't love you ♪ ♪ But I love you, Bazile ♪ ♪ You love me ♪ ♪ I do ♪ ♪ My love is enough for both of us ♪ ♪ You don't know what you say ♪ ♪ In my soul, a flame ♪ ♪ Longing for a woman in a dream ♪ (slow orchestral music) ♪ Now have I but a single name (indistinct) ♪ ♪ And a shrine to lay my esteem ♪ ♪ Her face is fair to me ♪ ♪ Etched in the bayou waters ♪ ♪ Outlined against a forest tree ♪ ♪ Clearly as each day closes ♪ ♪ Where I'm gifted with (indistinct) ♪ ♪ A limber form for all to know ♪ ♪ Were I a singer with an unsolved talent ♪ ♪ My songs to her would flow ♪ ♪ Sometimes ♪ ♪ I feel this luring phantom real ♪ ♪ I reach for her ♪ ♪ I reach for her ♪ ♪ In vain ♪ ♪ She holds my eager hand ♪ ♪ Leaves bare my heart ♪ ♪ Let me understand you ♪ ♪ Bazile ♪ ♪ You will not marry me ♪ ♪ Because you love a woman ♪ ♪ Who does not exist ♪ ♪ She lives somewhere ♪ ♪ You are insane, Bazile ♪ ♪ And my child will be insane like you ♪ ♪ Why like me ♪ ♪ I have nothing to do with any child of yours ♪ ♪ You've forgotten the night we drank wine ♪ ♪ And went together into the woods ♪ ♪ I remember my headache next day ♪ ♪ My memory ♪ ♪ Serves me well ♪ ♪ Into the level marshland we walked ♪ ♪ My hand clasped in your strong fingers ♪ ♪ In silence we gazed about us ♪ ♪ The moon shone on vines entwined with the tree trunks ♪ ♪ Birds sang a litany of love ♪ ♪ And as though the wine ♪ ♪ Had inspired you ♪ ♪ To heights never dreamed in usual days ♪ ♪ You threw your robes about me ♪ ♪ Pressed me close ♪ ♪ To your regal heart ♪ ♪ Then you ♪ ♪ Became the father ♪ ♪ Of the child I bear ♪ ♪ Is it true ♪ ♪ Do you doubt the words of your child's mother ♪ ♪ You must marry me ♪ ♪ Or they'll call your child a bastard ♪ ♪ If what you say is true ♪ ♪ I'll marry you, Clothilde ♪ ♪ I knew you would not fail me ♪ ♪ We'll be married under the spreading tree in my yard ♪ ♪ The tree in which we've laid as children ♪ ♪ My mind is confused ♪ ♪ I must be alone to think ♪ ♪ Say nothing of this to anyone ♪ ♪ A man must have a wife he can touch ♪ ♪ It might as well be me ♪ ♪ Do you feel well, Leonce ♪ ♪ How are your spirits today ♪ ♪ Come join us ♪ ♪ We'll take from your mouth ♪ ♪ That's the tart taste of (indistinct) ♪ ♪ Not now ♪ ♪ Leonce prefers Clothilde, Clothilde ♪ ♪ Not that same Clothilde who prefers Bazile ♪ ♪ If you think your concern refers to me ♪ ♪ It only concerns but me ♪ ♪ Go away ♪ ♪ Again we are shunned, cast out, rebuffed ♪ ♪ Oh, well, goodbye, Clothilde ♪ ♪ I was not spying, Clothilde ♪ ♪ But you spoke so clearly ♪ ♪ Why do you worry over Bazile's cold nerves ♪ ♪ I will marry you ♪ ♪ And be a father ♪ ♪ To your child ♪ (lively orchestral music) ♪ Fool, it is not you that I want ♪ ♪ All my life, you have dogged my footsteps ♪ ♪ You must play another part ♪ ♪ If you wish to win a woman's heart ♪ ♪ Laugh at me if you will ♪ ♪ Your words are cruel ♪ ♪ But I know you ♪ ♪ Are fine and true ♪ ♪ Yes, I am ♪ ♪ And I am beautiful, too ♪ ♪ Am I not beautiful, Leonce ♪ ♪ Most beautiful girl in the world ♪ ♪ We must make Bazile realize that ♪ ♪ Will you help me ♪ ♪ But you have his promise ♪ ♪ A promise born of duty ♪ ♪ Not love ♪ ♪ Bazile, too, must learn to love me ♪ ♪ Must see me as I am ♪ ♪ He must worship the artist in my soul ♪ ♪ Reveal the poetry ♪ ♪ That falls from my lips ♪ ♪ He can give me the prestige that I want ♪ ♪ The home ♪ ♪ And other worldly things ♪ ♪ Believe me, he will feel differently ♪ ♪ Once we are safely wed ♪ ♪ He will see my face ♪ ♪ In every tree ♪ ♪ In each budding rose ♪ ♪ I'll live in his dreams ♪ ♪ It will make me happy to serve you ♪ ♪ Whom I have loved for so long ♪ ♪ Because you yearn for what I cannot give ♪ ♪ Because your beauty deserves the best in life ♪ ♪ Because dear motherhood ♪ ♪ Brings hope to your heart ♪ ♪ Help you, I must ♪ ♪ Because your happiness ♪ ♪ Means more than mine ♪ ♪ Because your life would be complete ♪ ♪ With someone else ♪ ♪ Because your child needs its true father ♪ ♪ Help you I must ♪ ♪ Because your son will be dear to me ♪ ♪ Because I would wish that he were mine ♪ ♪ Because my mere worth comes in loving you ♪ ♪ Help you ♪ ♪ I will ♪ ♪ Help you ♪ ♪ I will ♪ ♪ You'd do all that for me ♪ ♪ Expecting nothing for it ♪ ♪ Your happiness is my reward ♪ ♪ I am sorry, deeply sorry ♪ ♪ For what ♪ ♪ That I cannot return your love ♪ ♪ Do not pity me, Clothilde ♪ ♪ Your friendship would please me more ♪ ♪ But it will not console me ♪ ♪ Though Bazile's dream of that other woman ♪ ♪ Who ♪ ♪ A dream woman ♪ ♪ That cannot be ♪ ♪ It must be someone here ♪ ♪ Yes, it must be someone ♪ ♪ Bazile's lying ♪ ♪ That's why he went away ♪ ♪ Even now he is with her ♪ ♪ Planning to break his promise to me ♪ ♪ We must find him ♪ ♪ We must follow him now ♪ ♪ What will you do ♪ ♪ What is your plan ♪ ♪ I don't know yet ♪ ♪ A plan will unfold, you must support all I say ♪ ♪ I'll not fail you ♪ ♪ Don't forget ♪ ♪ Come ♪ (slow orchestral music) ♪ She asks me ♪ ♪ To believe her ♪ ♪ But can I ♪ ♪ When she was small, she dramatized her life ♪ ♪ Lied to gain her ends ♪ ♪ How can I be sure that she has changed ♪ ♪ How can I be sure ♪ ♪ Her child is mine ♪ [etherial singing] ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ That voice, that voice ♪ ♪ I know that voice ♪ ♪ Where are you ♪ ♪ Who are you ♪ ♪ Speak to me ♪ ♪ Aurore ♪ ♪ From the hidden chambers of my heart ♪ ♪ You've come at last ♪ ♪ You cannot forget me ♪ ♪ Yet I cannot understand ♪ ♪ Because you are not of ♪ ♪ (indistinct) spirit ♪ ♪ My eyes behold much that is hidden from your eyes ♪ ♪ Please help me understand ♪ ♪ They read with me pages from the book of years ♪ ♪ Look back with me ♪ ♪ On our love ♪ ♪ Ages past, we whispered ♪ ♪ Endearing terms to each other ♪ ♪ And to no other ♪ ♪ Remember ♪ ♪ In many lives we've shared ♪ ♪ Our joys with each other ♪ ♪ And we loved ♪ ♪ Remember ♪ ♪ In ages past, we were one ♪ ♪ And thrust out of God's ♪ ♪ Creation ♪ ♪ That we were divided ♪ ♪ Remember ♪ ♪ Through endless years we have wandered ♪ ♪ Searching for each other ♪ ♪ When dark shields oppressed us ♪ ♪ We recalled our former joy ♪ ♪ Soon we'll need nobody (indistinct) ♪ ♪ We'll be one in higher worlds ♪ ♪ And we'll rejoice, remember ♪ ♪ Bazile ♪ ♪ When I remember ♪ ♪ Now there's nothing for me to stay on earth ♪ ♪ When I must be a spirit ♪ ♪ Like you ♪ ♪ I love you ♪ ♪ I have always loved you ♪ ♪ In my life, you fill a void ♪ ♪ That long has been empty ♪ ♪ I will kill myself ♪ ♪ And join you now ♪ ♪ No, no, Bazile ♪ ♪ This you must not do ♪ ♪ It would make our waiting all the longer ♪ ♪ In even heaven ♪ ♪ Suicide is known ♪ ♪ But none ♪ ♪ Sanction it ♪ ♪ To kill yourself is to curse yourself ♪ ♪ Be patient ♪ ♪ Patience is a virtue I have never known ♪ ♪ You must pray for it ♪ ♪ For suicide is a coward ♪ ♪ Now I face a grave situation ♪ ♪ Should I not slip away ♪ ♪ Very easy here to stay ♪ ♪ Facing this problem allows you ♪ ♪ To pay your debt to Clothilde ♪ ♪ How did you know about Clothilde ♪ ♪ Through these many years I've spent near you ♪ ♪ Until today I never gave Clothilde a single thought ♪ ♪ She has thought of you often ♪ ♪ In the glow of astral light, her plan is clear ♪ ♪ You must be brave to withstand the evil forces she invokes ♪ ♪ To escape the web she weaves ♪ ♪ Did she trick me into giving her a child ♪ ♪ She lied to you ♪ ♪ She will never bear a child of yours ♪ ♪ She knows that for her no love you bear ♪ ♪ That she's tried to force you to give ♪ ♪ Her tree of hope is planted in the shade ♪ ♪ It will not prosper ♪ ♪ Despite the plans she's made ♪ ♪ She knows that her heart holds selfishness ♪ ♪ An able husband she hopes to possess ♪ ♪ Though her tree to the sky should soar ♪ ♪ It will be decayed at the core ♪ ♪ She knows not that God blesses marriages ♪ ♪ Made by Him alone ♪ ♪ That mock unions on the earth will owe ♪ ♪ That vows not meant are useless ♪ ♪ She must learn that love ♪ ♪ Comes unbidden still ♪ ♪ To those who wait ♪ ♪ She must learn that hearts ♪ ♪ Wander where they will ♪ ♪ Compelled by fate ♪ ♪ This is the lesson ♪ ♪ She will have to learn here ♪ ♪ This is the reason ♪ ♪ For her dark plot ♪ ♪ She knows ♪ ♪ That for her no love you bear ♪ ♪ That she's trying to force you to care ♪ ♪ Though her tree grows from sturdy root ♪ ♪ It will never live to bear fruit ♪ ♪ In her small mortal mind ♪ ♪ There are thoughts she hoped you would never guess ♪ ♪ Words she now would retract ♪ ♪ Schemes to hurt you ♪ ♪ She knows just how false she has been ♪ ♪ But hope ♪ ♪ Eludes her ♪ ♪ A plot, then ♪ ♪ I might have known it ♪ ♪ The wench ♪ ♪ Now the truth is known ♪ ♪ I'll not let her drive me ♪ ♪ No law compels me to wed her ♪ ♪ No law compels you, Bazile ♪ ♪ We know love stronger than laws ♪ ♪ Calm as the waters ♪ ♪ Of the bayou are calm ♪ ♪ Pure as our hearts are pure ♪ ♪ Ours is a true love ♪ ♪ Fetters are the bayou waters ♪ ♪ From our souls of bondage tread ♪ ♪ Our love ♪ ♪ Will live forever ♪ ♪ Life without it ♪ ♪ Is not worth living ♪ ♪ Ours is a love ♪ ♪ That is more than love ♪ ♪ It has always been ♪ ♪ And always will be ♪ ♪ Like the unceasing stream ♪ ♪ Our love needs no reminder ♪ ♪ Like the waters come ♪ ♪ Our love endures ♪ ♪ Promise me, Bazile ♪ ♪ That you'll be patient ♪ ♪ Until our time for reunion arrives ♪ ♪ Now that I know you again ♪ ♪ What shall I do without you ♪ ♪ Long years of loneliness ♪ ♪ Long hours of waiting ♪ ♪ Time seems long to you ♪ ♪ Yet your life on earth is less than a moment ♪ ♪ In eternity ♪ ♪ Joy that is greater ♪ ♪ Than any joy known before ♪ ♪ Dreams that will never fade ♪ ♪ Will reward us for waiting ♪ ♪ Thoughts of the joy to come ♪ ♪ Will dwell in my heart ♪ ♪ Our love ♪ ♪ Will live forever ♪ ♪ Life without it ♪ ♪ Is not worth living ♪ ♪ Now I must leave you ♪ ♪ Promise me that you will return ♪ ♪ Though you see me not, know that I am with you ♪ ♪ Waiting by your side for our glad reunion ♪ ♪ Let today's feelings of loneliness be gone ♪ ♪ With a smile ♪ ♪ Knowing joy ♪ ♪ Everlasting will be ours ♪ ♪ E'er long ♪ (ominous orchestral music) ♪ I heard a woman's voice ♪ ♪ Who was that woman, Bazile ♪ ♪ See for yourself ♪ ♪ There's no one here ♪ ♪ Yet I'm sure I heard a woman's voice ♪ ♪ Perhaps you did ♪ ♪ Or it was your imagination ♪ ♪ Empty words ♪ ♪ This was not my imagination ♪ ♪ Tell me, why are you so concerned ♪ ♪ Why do you force yourself on me ♪ ♪ Tell him, Leonce, how stubborn he is ♪ ♪ Most men would clamor for to kiss her ♪ ♪ Do you think I lie ♪ ♪ Who would not, if you ♪ ♪ Then why don't you wed her ♪ ♪ She does not want me ♪ ♪ You must be a prince or a fool ♪ ♪ Don't evade the issue, Bazile ♪ ♪ Who was that woman ♪ ♪ You have no right to know ♪ ♪ She must have been the sweetheart ♪ ♪ Who does not exist ♪ ♪ What if it was ♪ ♪ Then you do consort with spirits ♪ ♪ Call it by any name you will, Clothilde ♪ ♪ Remember the words of our priest ♪ ♪ Of evil spirit ♪ ♪ The teaching he expounds confounds me ♪ ♪ Blasphemy ♪ ♪ By laws of God or laws of man ♪ ♪ Though you sneer at His words ♪ ♪ Remember what the men said ♪ ♪ Death for those who consort with spirits ♪ ♪ Let's stop this useless discussion ♪ ♪ Bazile will marry me ♪ ♪ We'll forget what's happened here ♪ ♪ We won't forget and I won't marry you ♪ ♪ Then I'll tell the priest that you deal with evil spirits ♪ ♪ Unless you marry me you'll die ♪ ♪ And that's how you would show your love for me ♪ ♪ If I cannot have you, no one else will ♪ ♪ This is a vengeance for your promise ♪ ♪ I'll denounce you before everyone ♪ ♪ You can scarce expect me to be pleased ♪ ♪ The threat of death will bring you to my terms ♪ ♪ She speaks thus out of love for you ♪ ♪ For all, I'll give a party ♪ ♪ To which all will come ♪ ♪ And you will come, too ♪ ♪ Why should I ♪ ♪ Under my tree of hope we'll be married ♪ ♪ I'll come to join in the fun ♪ ♪ Good man ♪ ♪ And not to marry you ♪ ♪ Don't be hasty ♪ ♪ You'll have to meet my terms ♪ ♪ You'll be fine ♪ ♪ You should not scorn what is offered ♪ ♪ Did I ask her for her hand ♪ ♪ My mind is made up ♪ ♪ Is your mind made up finally ♪ ♪ I will never marry you ♪ - [Narrator] William Grant Still was born in Woodville, Mississippi in 1895.

His parents were both teachers, college graduates, and musicians.

He entered Wilberforce University as a pre-med student and joined the university string quartet.

The tug of music, however, proved too strong.

William Grant Still went to work for WC Handy in Memphis, playing in his band on every instrument available.

The young composer made the first band arrangements of Handy's "St. Louis Blues" and "Beale Street Blues."

Working for a time at a recording studio, he continued his studies with George Chadwick, the Boston academician, and in New York with Edgard Varese, the revolutionary modernist.

Mrs. Varese remembers her husband saying, "That young man has a special talent.

I must not spoil it."

Still soon earned a living playing in the orchestra pit for "Shuffle Along," the groundbreaking all-negro musical.

He arranged for Paul Whiteman, Sophie Tucker, Earl Carroll, and many more.

It was then that he began labor on his first large-scale orchestral score He called it "An Afro-American Symphony."

It was first performed by Howard Hanson in Rochester at an American composer's concert in October, 1931.

The event marked the acceptance of William Grant Still among the ranks of America's leading composers.

The "Afro-American" was soon programmed by many American and European orchestras.

Married to Verna Arvey and father to a son and daughter, Still seemed securely launched on a major career.

He received Guggenheim and Rosenwald fellowships.

But his music was cast in a warm, romantic vein, and modern music was dominated, especially in America, by Europeans like Stravinsky and by European conductors.

Still was undaunted, he set his artistic heart on yet another goal: the world of opera.

His first was "A Troubled Island," to a libretto by poet Langston Hughes.

He finished it in 1938.

To a colleague he wrote, "As you know, "it has been the dream of my life to write operas, "and although none of them have as yet been produced, I haven't given up hope that they will be."

"A Troubled Island" was finally given by the New York City Opera in 1949 with baritone Robert Weede in the lead.

It received three performances.

"A Bayou Legend" in 1941 was Still's third opera to a libretto by his gifted wife, Verna Arvey Still, who was to collaborate with him on several more.

They remained unperformed for decades.

Opera/South, the adventurous company in Jackson, Mississippi, gave the world premier in 1974, repeating the success in 1976 as a bicentennial event.

William Grant Still received major stories in magazines and newspapers.

The New York Post called him "the American Tchaikovsky."

He won the Golden Jubilee Prize of the Cincinnati Symphony.

In December, 1978, laden with honors, surrounded by his grandchildren, William Grant Still died at the age of 83.

He left behind seven operas, eight symphonies, four ballets, numerous other choral, vocal, and orchestral works, and much chamber music.

And now, part two of "A Bayou Legend."

(lively orchestral music) - Ladies and gentlemen.

Henri Dufou and Jewels Renee, you'll dance for us today.

Come step out smartly now, give us all a great big bow.

(upbeat orchestral music) (villagers cheering) (villagers applauding) (villagers cheering) Ladies and gentlemen, ooh, Louisa Carse and Claude Duran, take each other by the hand.

You'll have to dance some more, and after all that's gone before.

(laughs) (upbeat orchestral music continues) (villagers applauding) (villagers cheering) Ladies and gentlemen, Adele Conair and Jean Le Crere, let's see how you will fair.

You'll end our little game and try for everlasting fame.

(upbeat orchestral music continues) (villagers applauding) (villagers cheering) (slow orchestral music) ♪ Clothilde ♪ ♪ Clothilde ♪ ♪ Come now, Clothilde ♪ ♪ What is the surprise ♪ ♪ Tell it to us now ♪ ♪ Wait a while ♪ ♪ We are not blind ♪ ♪ We are all ready ♪ ♪ You must be patient, the surprise has not yet come ♪ ♪ Leonce, it is late, where is Bazile ♪ ♪ I have not seen him ♪ ♪ He must have meant what he said ♪ ♪ Nonsense ♪ ♪ How could he prefer death to me ♪ ♪ Clothilde ♪ ♪ You must be joking ♪ ♪ Wait a while ♪ ♪ You'll see ♪ ♪ Cast your worries aside ♪ ♪ We'll cheer you with a ditty ♪ ♪ When folks are solemn, we are gay ♪ ♪ We laugh and sing while their hair turns gray ♪ ♪ When folks are romancing, we're at prayers ♪ ♪ We start our dancing when they say theirs ♪ ♪ So we'll be solemn while they are merry ♪ ♪ We might be fickle ♪ ♪ But us very, we're very, are very ♪ ♪ Contrary, contrary, contrary ♪ ♪ We'll be gay and free and merry ♪ ♪ Contrary, contrary, contrary ♪ ♪ Oh, not very, not very ♪ ♪ It's no use, the party's near its end ♪ ♪ Still no sign of Bazile ♪ ♪ I warned him ♪ ♪ You heard me ♪ ♪ But he, he did not ♪ ♪ Now I will tell all I know ♪ ♪ But Clothilde ♪ ♪ Think well what you do to the man you love ♪ ♪ A childhood playmate you condemn too quickly ♪ ♪ Have you forgotten duty ♪ ♪ Don't you recall what Father Lestant said ♪ ♪ My duty is to you and Bazile ♪ ♪ Your duty is to the villagers ♪ ♪ Judge carefully ♪ ♪ My judgment will rule us both ♪ ♪ Wait ♪ ♪ Wadell ♪ ♪ Yes ♪ ♪ You must seize Bazile ♪ ♪ Why should I ♪ ♪ To save him from the mob ♪ ♪ What mob, there is no mob ♪ ♪ There will be a mob when it's learned ♪ ♪ That Bazile consorts with spirits ♪ ♪ What's that ♪ ♪ But Clothilde ♪ ♪ You speak hastily ♪ ♪ There's no proof ♪ ♪ Proof, we heard the voice ♪ ♪ What voice ♪ ♪ The voice of a spirit talking to Bazile ♪ ♪ But we saw no one ♪ ♪ It must have been a woman who hid when we came ♪ ♪ Bazile admitted it ♪ ♪ Clothilde loves Bazile ♪ ♪ She would never say these things ♪ ♪ If they were not true ♪ ♪ Now I understand ♪ ♪ Under the mask of love ♪ ♪ Clothilde would send him to his death ♪ ♪ Clothilde loves no one but herself ♪ ♪ She did not accuse ♪ ♪ She begged for Bazile's safety ♪ ♪ That was part of a plan ♪ ♪ She's false, she's clever ♪ ♪ I do not wonder that you side with her ♪ ♪ I, too, have been fooled ♪ ♪ Duped by a clever woman ♪ ♪ Scorned by a heartless shrew ♪ ♪ My life hath been wasted ♪ ♪ In delusions of her ♪ ♪ I, too, have been fooled ♪ ♪ She did accuse ♪ ♪ Her accusations couched in such lies ♪ ♪ As to make her blameless ♪ ♪ In our eyes ♪ ♪ I do not wonder that you side with her ♪ ♪ I, too, have been fooled ♪ ♪ Forced to a gallant gesture ♪ ♪ Persuaded twas best for all ♪ ♪ My efforts were to help her ♪ ♪ But now I see her as she is ♪ ♪ I, too, have been fooled ♪ ♪ Stand aside, Leonce, we'll attend to it ♪ ♪ Then if that be true, Bazile must die ♪ ♪ We'll find Bazile and put the question straight ♪ ♪ No need ♪ ♪ He's not far away ♪ (slow orchestral music) ♪ Like the unceasing sea ♪ ♪ Our love ♪ ♪ Needs no reminder ♪ ♪ As the waters come ♪ ♪ Our love endures ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ There it is again ♪ ♪ What, Clothilde ♪ ♪ The song of the spirit ♪ ♪ Is that true, Leonce ♪ ♪ I heard the song but cannot swear who sang it ♪ ♪ Is that true, Bazile ♪ ♪ Beware, Bazile ♪ ♪ These people do not wish you well ♪ ♪ Be silent ♪ ♪ Let Bazile speak ♪ ♪ Why should I, when Clothilde speaks for me ♪ ♪ Is it true that you consort with evil spirits ♪ ♪ The spirit I consort with is not evil ♪ ♪ All spirits are evil ♪ ♪ No ♪ ♪ More lovely ♪ ♪ Than my imagining ♪ ♪ Her form emerged from the cloudy shapes of dreams ♪ ♪ More lovely ♪ ♪ Than my envisioning ♪ ♪ Her features glowed with her charm ♪ ♪ Radiant as the morning ♪ ♪ From the half-forgotten mist of past ages ♪ ♪ She came to me ♪ ♪ In this life ♪ ♪ Then her voice rang clear ♪ ♪ And with her words, my thoughts returned ♪ ♪ To lives we lived long ago ♪ ♪ And love we knew in years gone by ♪ ♪ E'er she told me the tale of her devotion ♪ ♪ My memory stirred ♪ ♪ My mind awoke ♪ ♪ To the pure and selfless passion of spirit ♪ ♪ I realized ♪ ♪ That through eternity our love lingers ♪ ♪ And always will remain ♪ ♪ More constant ♪ ♪ Than the waters of the bayou ♪ ♪ Our faith ♪ ♪ A promise ♪ ♪ Bazile, is it true ♪ ♪ You've confessed to witchcraft ♪ ♪ I've confessed to nothing, Father ♪ ♪ You were so faithful ♪ ♪ You strove to do God's bidding ♪ ♪ Am I accursed because I dare think for myself ♪ ♪ Not that you dare think, my son ♪ ♪ But that you disagree with the Lord ♪ ♪ That is not true ♪ ♪ Yesterday I spoke of disobeying God's law ♪ ♪ His law is love alone ♪ ♪ I spoke to a placing ourselves above Him ♪ ♪ In word and deed ♪ ♪ But Father ♪ ♪ I warned you, but you heard not ♪ ♪ I've done no harm ♪ ♪ You've communed with one from the land beyond the veil ♪ ♪ Her honor ♪ ♪ The punishment for that is death ♪ ♪ Yes ♪ ♪ We must put Bazile in prison ♪ ♪ We must find a judge and a jury ♪ ♪ That his trial may be fair ♪ ♪ We need no judge, we need no jury ♪ ♪ We need no prison ♪ ♪ Why wait, we'll hang him now ♪ ♪ We have no gallows ♪ ♪ There's one, no ♪ ♪ That one there ♪ ♪ My son ♪ ♪ Are you prepared to meet your creator ♪ ♪ I'm not afraid, Father ♪ ♪ I've done no ♪ ♪ Wrong ♪ (ominous orchestral music) ♪ Now they will be coming ♪ ♪ To the tree ♪ ♪ Where he'll be hung ♪ ♪ When our vows ♪ ♪ Might have been given today ♪ ♪ Now some man will have fashioned a noose ♪ ♪ While the others hold Bazile ♪ ♪ Now it will be thrown over a high branch ♪ ♪ And left to dangle round Bazile's neck ♪ ♪ Now they will draw it tight ♪ ♪ Hope will guard the body ♪ ♪ Hard to (indistinct) only gasp ♪ ♪ The face livid in death ♪ ♪ Then the body gently swaying in the breeze ♪ (slow orchestral music) ♪ Now all is calm ♪ ♪ Calm with a calmness of a storm-swept sky ♪ ♪ With a peace that falls on troubled waters ♪ ♪ Bazile, you were stubborn ♪ ♪ And I waited ♪ ♪ Your eyes were blind to the joys of life ♪ ♪ Your lips defied the laws of sense ♪ ♪ But now you have learned ♪ ♪ Not to scorn Clothilde ♪ (dramatic orchestral music) (thunder rumbles) ♪ My children ♪ ♪ God has sent a miracle ♪ ♪ Let us kneel in silent prayer ♪ (slow orchestral music) ♪ What is it ♪ ♪ Why is this simple deed a miracle ♪ ♪ Too bad, Clothilde ♪ ♪ You have missed the drama ♪ ♪ For which you set the stage ♪ ♪ Tell me ♪ ♪ What happened ♪ ♪ Why are they praying ♪ ♪ From the quiet ♪ ♪ Hanging body ♪ ♪ Emerged a luminous Bazile ♪ ♪ Radiant with happiness ♪ ♪ Filled with newfound life ♪ ♪ Then as we watched, there came to join him ♪ ♪ Another shining being ♪ ♪ A woman whose radiance matched with his ♪ ♪ As though it were always thus ♪ ♪ Together ♪ ♪ They ascended ♪ ♪ Dimmer became their forms 'til they were lost ♪ ♪ In the heavenly mists surrounding them ♪ ♪ A miracle ♪ ♪ We have seen ♪ ♪ A miracle ♪ ♪ And it was I who gave them back to each other ♪ ♪ We owe a miracle to you ♪ ♪ Now I ♪ ♪ Have nothing ♪ ♪ Not the man ♪ ♪ Not his love ♪ ♪ Not one kind word ♪ ♪ To remember him by ♪ ♪ But you have his child ♪ - What child?

♪ What child ♪ ♪ The child you'll bear, of course ♪ ♪ There is no child ♪ ♪ I lied so that he would marry me ♪ ♪ But now ♪ ♪ Leonce ♪ ♪ What do you want of me ♪ ♪ Bazile no longer stands in our way ♪ ♪ Now we, Leonce ♪ ♪ Can be happy together ♪ ♪ Not I, Clothilde ♪ ♪ Nor anyone else ♪ ♪ No man would have you ♪ ♪ Now ♪ (slow orchestral music) (Clothilde cries loudly, then sobs) (slow piano music) (upbeat orchestral music) (slow electronic music)