The opera focuses on the Reconstruction era African-American experience and incorporates many of the "field hollers," spirituals, fiddle tunes, revival hymns, and ancient African dances of Joplin's rural childhood.

The company for the recording features Janinah Burnett (Lucy), Frederick Jackson (Luddud), Anita Johnson (Treemonisha), Robert Mack (Andy), Chauncey Packer (Remus), Todd Payne (Simon), Edward Pleasant (Zodzetrick), AnnMarie Sandy (Monisha), Phumzile Sojola (Cephus), Darren Stokes (Parson Alltalk), and Frank Ward, Jr. (Ned), alongside the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra & Singers, Rick Benjamin, conductor.

The two disc set comes with a 116-page companion book by Benjamin and Chris Ware which includes Joplin's complete libretto and stage directions for the opera.

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