Set in the fictional Georgia town of Cold Sassy, Cold Sassy Tree focuses on widower Rucker Lattimore sudden engagement — three weeks after his first wife's death — to Love Simpson, a much younger woman. While rumors run rampant, Rucker's grandson Will is the only person who supports the union and eventually strikes up a friendship with the new bride.

Carlisle Floyd's work made its world premiere in 2000 at Houston Grand Opera. The work (based on the 1984 book by Olive Ann Burns) earned much acclaim and became a popular staple of contemporary opera.