The Achilles Heel was commissioned by Houston Grand Opera as a high school outreach opera and was a first prize winner in the Nation Opera Association competition. The five main characters (supported by a trio) find themselves at a new school. Harry is blind and unsure of himself. Achilles, a black student, becomes his first new friend much to the dismay of Harry's widowed mother. Harry also befriends Cassie the most beautiful girl in the school. "Seeing through Harry's eyes" is the theme of this opera as questions of skin color and physical beauty are addressed. Harry and Achilles save lives when the school catches fire.
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Opening
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When You Were Born
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Black Inventor's Rap
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