Sanctuary Road

Sanctuary Road is an opera that began life as an oratorio, and is based on the writings of William Still, a conductor for the Underground Railroad, who helped almost 800 slaves escape to freedom and who meticulously and passionately documented many of their lives in his memoir, The Underground Railroad Records. In this modern opera by Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell, stories document the network of secret routes and safe houses used by African American slaves to escape into free states and Canada during the early- to mid-1800s. Some of the song texts are literal, as when Still interviews an escapee he has sheltered, and at other times more poetic. Sanctuary Road honors the courage and humanity of individuals escaping to freedom, while celebrating the inspirational, collective power of the movement William Still recorded in his memoir. It was first staged as an opera in March of 2022 by North Carolina Opera. Penn Square Music is proud to present the second fully staged performance with orchestra at the Gardner Theatre. The Lancaster performances of Sanctuary Road are generously supported by Anne Gardner and in partnership with LancasterHistory.