Libretto by Kenward Elmslie, after a scenario by Richard Plant

Jack Beeson’s Lizzie Borden is one of the masterpieces of Twentieth century American opera. Making use of the historical Borden case, the creators sought in the composer’s words “to explain why our Lizzie, given the frustration of her strong passions, was led to murder her father and stepmother.” The real-life Lizzie was acquitted of all charges, though speculation still runs high more than a century later. This gripping television production – produced within months of the 1965 world premiere – features the acclaimed original cast and conductor.