I Will Tell You The Truth About This, I Will Tell You All About It is a ten-poem sequence by former United States Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith that describes in vivid details the lives of African American soldiers and their families during the Civil War. Derived entirely from historical record, the sequence includes the voices of a mother pleading with President Lincoln to release her son from the army, a soldier sending love to his children back home, and deposition statements given by African American veterans, their widows, and descendants hoping to receive their rightful pensions. Set for chamber choir (including soprano, baritone and tenor soloists) and string trio by Composer Aaron Siegel, and brought to life as a staged piece, this oratorio is a gripping tribute to these overlooked lives and stories at a pivotal time in American history.
Learn More: http://www.aaronsiegel.net