Children's and Liturgical Opera Company, LLC
www.chancelopera.com |
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| LITURGICAL OPERA: And Christ Came Into the World |
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AND CHRIST CAME
INTO THE WORLD |
an Epiphany play by Michèle Miller Sigg
with chants by Susan Hulsman Bingham
and including traditional Christmas melodies
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NOTE: This short chancel opera comes in two versions:
one for smaller cast and one for larger. |
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In rehearsal at St. John's Episcopal Parish, New Haven, CT
before the premier of And Christ Came Into the World
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CAST for Version I:
(smaller cast version)
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[NOTE: Actors may have more than one part.]
Amos (donkey)
Jude (donkey)
Children (2 or more)
Angel
Shepherds (4 or more)
Joseph
Mary
King Herod
Scribes, teachers
Magi (3)
Singing parts:
Roosters
Ravens
Rooks
Ox(en)
Sheep
Donkeys
Angels
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CAST for Version 2:
(larger cast version) |
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[NOTE: Actors may have more than one part.]
Children (non speaking)
Child 1
Mary (non speaking)
Joseph (non speaking)
Animals (singing)
Roosters
Ravens
Rooks
Oxen
Sheep
Donkeys
Amos – a donkey modeled on Groucho Marx
Raucus – a kleptomaniacal raven with a croaky, Arabian accent
Doodle – a cheerful, energetic, flighty rooster
Bodo – (singing but non speaking) a mute ox
modeled on Harpo Marx
Bud – a sheep who narrates
Head Angel
Other Angels
Two (or more) Shepherds
Herod
Jewish teachers of the law
Wise man 1
Wise man 2
Wise man 3
Priest-in-Charge (as him/herself) |
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ACCOMPANIMENT: |
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keyboard (synthesizer), a melody-carrying instrument (anything from flute through 'cello -- in other words, whatever you have); sleigh bells.
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CHORUS: |
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animals make up chorus. All trebles, one baritone |
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DANCE: |
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minimal and optional |
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PROPS: |
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generic Biblical Christmas pageant garb |
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SOURCE OF TEXTS: |
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original libretto based on Christmas Bible stories and legends by Michèle Miller Sigg |
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LANGUAGE: |
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English |
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MUSICAL STYLE: |
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simple tonal chant interspersed with some traditional Christmas carol melodies |
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SCENES: |
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Introduction, four tiny scenes, postlude = 6 |
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DURATION: |
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twenty-five minutes |
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PREMIER: |
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St. John's Episcopal Parish, New Haven, CT, January 29, 2005 |
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SYNOPSIS
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There is an ancient legend that says that on the night Jesus was born, the animals talked -- in Latin!* In this play, these talking animals introduce themselves, and then they reenact four familiar sacred tales of the Christmas season:
TABLEAU 1: Christ’s Birth in the Stable
TABLEAU 2: The Angels appear to the Shepherds in the Fields
TABLEAU 3: The Magi visit Herod’s Court
TABLEAU 4: The Flight into Egypt
* Christus natus est! (Christ is born!) Quando? (When?) Hac nocte! (This night!) Ubi? (Where?) Bethlehem! . . . . Eamus! (Let’s go!)
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Musical score OF AND CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD, Version 1: $58. Price includes shipping and handling within the U.S.
Includes copying and performance rights.
Musical score OF AND CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD, Version 2: $58. Price includes shipping and handling within the U.S.
Includes copying and performance rights.
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