Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1989-12-17

Duration: 00:27:29

Subjects: Smith, Valerian E., 1926-1992 | Composers | Music | Opera | Christmas

Contributors:

• Masingale, Sonya Host
• Smith, Valerian Interviewee
• Barnes, Faye Performer
• Jackson, Herman Performer
• Jefferson, Darryl Performer
• Boney, Melanie Performer
• Taylor, Earl Performer
• Gray, Samuel Performer
• Dacus, Ed Performer
• Vallett, Margaret Performer
• Banks, Lenore Evans Performer
• Jefferson, Cora Performer

This episode of the series “Folks” from December 17, 1989, features the performance of songs from “A Creole Baby,” a work-in-progress Christmas opera set in 1864 during the Civil War in Louisiana. Sonya Masingale interviews Dr. Valerian Smith of Baton Rouge, the composer, who discusses the inspiration for “A Creole Baby” and the stories behind the songs. The singers perform the following songs: “Oh How Your Heart Cries”; “I Could Kill / A Human Treason”; “I’m So Sorry You Came into My Life”; “Ave Maria”; and “Christmas on the Bayou / A Creole Baby Boy.”