My Dearest Friend: A World Premier Opera for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra

Composer Patricia Leonard

Patricia Leonard

News Release Date: June 12, 2016

Contact: Caroline Keinath, 617-773-1177

Adams National Historical Park News Release

Release Date: June 12, 2016 - For Immediate Release.

For more information, contact Caroline Keinath at 617-773-1177.

My Dearest Friend

A World Premiere Opera for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra

July 2, 2016

2:00 p.m.

QUINCY, MA –Adams National Historical Park is pleased to announce a free showing of My Dearest Friend: A Song Cycle for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra on the grounds of Adams National Historical Park. On July 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. hear the moving letters of Abigail and John Adams set to music on the very grounds where many of these letters were composed.

For the first 20 years of their marriage, Abigail and John Adams spent half of it apart. The result was a correspondence of over 1,000 letters highlighting the personal sacrifices each made, as well as their views on the American Revolution and the presidency. Composer Patricia Leonard was inspired to set some of these letters to music to highlight the bond Abigail and John had, and to highlight the extraordinary influence Abigail had over John, and ultimately the shaping of the nation.

My Dearest Friend is free and open to the public. The performance will take place under the tent at the Beale House, 181 Adams Street, Quincy, MA. There is limited street parking.A free trolley from the Adams National Historical Park Visitor Center (1250 Hancock Street) will also drop off at the location.

Adams National Historical Park includes the birthplaces of the second and sixth presidents of the United States, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, along with the Old House at Peace field, home to both presidents and four generations of their distinguished family. During the open season, April 19 through November 10, tickets to the historic homes can be purchased at the Visitor Center located at 1250 Hancock Street, Quincy. A free park trolley transports visitors from the Visitor Center to the Birthplaces and the "Old House at Peace field" for a two and a half hour tour. The first tour leaves at 9:15 a.m. and the last tour leaves at 3:15 p.m., seven days a week including federal holidays. Tickets are $10.00 for adults (children 15 and under are free) and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.