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LITURGICAL OPERA: Woman at the Well
THE WOMAN AT THE WELL
a
chancel opera based on John 4
by Susan Hulsman Bingham
Judith Caldwell, soprano, and
Edward Getlein, baritone, in performance.
Photo: EPISCOPAL LIFE
Jesus (baritone), James (tenor), John (baritone), Peter (tenor), Samarian Woman (soprano), Townswoman (mezzo soprano)
CAST:
ACCOMPANIMENT:
piano, optional recorder
No separate chorus. Actors sing in various groups: Gossips: chorus of high voices; Townsfolk: SATB choir (high voices can double as Gossips)
CHORUS:
DANCE:
none
PROPS:
minimal household materials. Details in score.
SOURCE OF TEXTS:
based on the Gospel of John, Chapter 4
LANGUAGE:
English
MUSICAL STYLE:
tonal, lyrical, harmonic; some arias for lead roles
SCENES:
one
twenty-five minutes
DURATION:
Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, CT, 1979
PREMIER:
SYNOPSIS
Jesus stops to rest at Jacob's Well in Samaria while his disciples go to the nearest town to get food. He speaks kindly to a Samarian woman who comes to fetch water, surprising her in two ways: first, by speaking to her at all, since Samarians and Jews usually to not speak to one-another, and second, when he appears to know, in detail, about her life.
As the disciples return from town, the woman runs toward home, shouting that she has found the Messiah. At first the Townsfolk rebuke her, but she persists without anger until the townsfolk come to see Jesus for themselves.
Musical score for the chancel opera WOMAN AT THE WELL: $50. Includes shipping within the U.S. as well as copying and performing rights (see contract which accompanies order form).
CD of two chancel operas (WOMAN AT THE WELL and SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF DAVID AND JONATHAN): $20. Price includes shipping within the U.S. form).
Composer's comment: one of our first ones. Great if you have many singers wanting to participate.
