Commissioned by the Ford Foundation, it was Floyd's most epic opera, set in South Carolina during the Reconstruction era.

It was premiered at the New York City Opera on October 11, 1962, directed by Allen Fletcher and conducted by Julius Rudel.

The opera's plot was invented by Floyd, based on an idea suggested by his wife, set in South Carolina during the Reconstruction era.

The Passion of Jonathan Wade was premiered at the New York City Opera on October 11, 1962, directed by Allen Fletcher and conducted by Julius Rudel.

Phyllis Curtin, Theodor Uppman, Norman Treigle and Harry Theyard starred in a large cast.

[1] The revised version premiered at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in Houston on January 18, 1991, conducted by John DeMain, directed by Carlisle Floyd,[1] and designed by Günther Schneider-Siemssen and Allen Charles Klein.

The maid, Nicey, deems Jonathan a good man, but Celia denounces him for not understanding the depth of Southern suffering.

An evening party at the Townsends' home disintegrates as the Southern citizens furiously refuse to submit to the Northern reforms preached by a fervent Pratt.

Enoch Pratt insists that Judge Townsend be removed from the bench and that the Radical Republicans should use reform as a means of securing future political power.

Townsend publicly denounces the North, and Jonathan and Celia discover that Lieutenant Patrick has carried out the order of confiscation.

In the middle of the night, the full contingent of Guardian Knights arrive to free Lucas, while Union soldiers, led by Pratt and Patrick, also surround the house before attempting to arrest Jonathan for insubordination.