Shiloh's Razor: Opera Concept Album Release and Fundraiser

On the 161st Anniversary of the Crime: A Chilling Tale of Betrayal and Justice

Mystic Side Opera presents a concept album release of Shiloh’s Razor: An Original Opera Uncovering America’s First M**der During a Bank Robbery

On December 15, 1863, a crime shook Malden, Massachusetts—the first recorded M**der during a bank robbery in America. The perpetrator was not a famed gunslinger, but a desperate opportunist, whose actions would forever change the course of a small town's history.

Shiloh’s Razor tells the gripping true story of William Shiloh, a free Black barber who, in the wake of this brutal M**der, finds himself trapped between moral duty and personal safety. William, the sole witness to the M**der of 17-year-old Frank Converse, is torn between exposing the powerful postmaster Edward Green as the killer and protecting his family from the potential fallout of his accusation.

As tensions rise, William struggles with his conscience, caught in a web of fear, justice, and the reality of being an outsider in a town that may never believe him. The razor-sharp choices he must make will test his courage, his integrity, and his very survival.

Inspired by Michael Cloherty’s Abel Bodied: M**der at the Malden Bank, Shiloh’s Razor brings this haunting historical drama to life with breathtaking music, world-class vocalists, and a stunning orchestral score. Experience the heart-pounding suspense of this opera, where each note brings you closer to the truth that could shatter a town and change one man’s fate forever.

This exclusive fundraiser for Mystic Side Opera supports our mission to tell powerful, untold stories. Join us for a night where history’s shadows come alive, and let the music take you deep into a world of betrayal, courage, and redemption. The truth is sharp—and it’s waiting for you.

Shiloh’s Razor concept album was made possible in-part through a generous donation by The Adelaide Breed Bayrd Foundation.

Host or Publisher Ascend Classical Presents