A CHURCH OPERA IN ONE ACT saturday 23 april 2016 3:00pm composer jonathan dove pleasant ridge presbyterian church libretto by david lan cincinnati, ohio

ENSEMBLES cincinnati camerata concert:nova north american new opera workshop cincinnati public schools woodford paideia SOLOISTS DIRECTORS ORCHESTRA CHORUS

Jonathan Snyder, Accordion roles: people in market, the Nave Graham, Flute + Piccolo mountain (men), the river Michael Young tobit Krista Weiss, Clarinet (women), wedding guests, Baritone Elizabeth Bawel, Harp the trees, angels David Abraham, Percussion Mari Thomas, Violin Adam Sherwood Stephanie Schoenhofer anna Ted Nelson, Cello Alexander Petrovsky † Mezzo-soprano Boris Astafiev, Double Bass Angela Carota Minhye Jang, Organ Anna Sherwood Betsy MacConnell Scott Wyatt tobias Bill Seale Tenor Chuck Lauterbach Darrin Hunter Brett Scott David Burch † Artistic Director CHILDREN Aryeh Nussbaum raphael Doug Johnson Counter-tenor roles: sparrows, the fish Elizabeth Venia Ellen Harrison Aaliyah Owens Erin Brewer Pedro André Arroyo Ojeda raguel Addison Maxberry Gabe Blumer Tenor Alex Smith Janette Butler Aleyah Smith Jean Lauterbach Charles Bryant Jonathan Ngai Tara Morrow edna Chloe Kelley Korin Mattei Soprano Corie Crawford Kurt Sander Deatra Holmes Larissa Sander Frances Rabalais Donte King, Jr. Laura Lander Adria Caffaro sara Stage Director Iyanna Berry LeeAnn Kordenbrock Mezzo-soprano Joy Johnson Nan Merrow Kacie Adams Nina Naberhaus Kayla Berndsen Penny Schenk Andrew Manea ashmodeus Kenna Scott Ralph Shipley Baritone Lawrence Thomas III Robert Klevan Samantha Griffin Roger Crice Sa’naa Diallo-Lewis Sergio Zapata † Sarah Smallwood Tom Terwilliger Shaylin King Victor De La Cruz Tamia Brunner Angela Carota Tristan Jackson † raguel’s men Children’s Choir Director Tyler Brunner and performer and sought to attract and engage new BRETT SCOTT, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL YOUNG audiences. The ensemble produces 5 projects each season. Brett Scott is Associate Professor of Ensembles and Michael Young is a baritone praised for his dark, Productions are thoughtful collaborations with partners Conducting at the University of Cincinnati’s College molten tones. Mr. Young has recently performed with that have included writers, sculptors, video artists, dancers, Conservatory of Music, where he directs the select CCM Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Opera, Opera Western Reserve, ENSEMBLES chefs, scientists, actors, poets and filmmakers. Chorale and teaches conducting and literature at the NANOWorks Opera, The Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Performances take place in unusual venues and found graduate and undergraduate level. Dr. Scott’s previous and The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. Recent roles & BIOS spaces throughout Cincinnati. Immersed in the city, each position was at the University of Rochester and Eastman include Marcello in Puccini’s La Boheme, Scarpia in production is a vastly different exploration of our urban School of Music, where he taught undergraduate and Puccini’s Tosca, and George Milton in Carlisle Floyd’s environment. The results are provocative, interactive and graduate conducting, and directed the University of Of Mice and Men. In concert, Mr. Young has recently unforgettable experiences that takes audiences from Rochester Glee Clubs and Chamber Singers. performed as baritone soloist in Durufle’s Requiem, Orff’s basement arts spaces, renovated warehouses and Originally from Canada, he has received national Carmina Burana, and Handel’s Messiah, as well as the light studios. broadcast as a conductor in that country. An title character in Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Michael is a first concert:nova’s education program, NEXT:GENERATION, acknowledged expert on and advocate for contemporary prize winner at the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, allows pre-professional music performance majors from choral music, Brett has lectured at regional and national and a two-time winner of The University of Cincinnati local universities (currently Miami University and the conventions in the United States and Canada. He has College-Conservatory of Music’s Corbett Vocal Scholarship University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music) to published articles in the Choral Journal, American Choral Competition. Upcoming performances include Masetto in expand their education through our an arts entrepreneur- Review, Anacrusis and the Research Memorandum Series, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Belcore in Donizetti’s L’elisir focused apprentice program. and conducted several regional, national, and world d’amore, both with Opera Western Reserve. premieres. He has recently been appointed editor of the Research Memorandum Series, published by Chorus STEPHANIE SCHOENHOFER America. Brett received his Doctor of Music Arts at the Stephanie Schoenhofer is a mezzo-soprano from Lima, Ohio. College Conservatory of Music in 2002, and currently She has held Young Artist apprenticeships with companies CINCINNATI CAMERATA lives in Cincinnati with his wife Krista and children Aedhan, such as Sarasota Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Cincinnati Camerata is a mixed-voice choral ensemble of 35 Colum, Kenna, and Serrin. Opera Saratoga. Stephanie has performed a number of accomplished volunteer singers that focuses on chamber operatic roles and concert works. Operatic credits include and contemporary classical music, from medieval chant FRANCES RABALAIS, STAGE DIRECTOR Sr. Lillianne in Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, Baba the Turk through living composers. The Camerata collaborates A native of New Orleans, Frances will soon be graduating in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, Fortuna in Monteverdi’s with some of Cincinnati’s finest instrumental chamber from the College-Conservatory of Music with an Artist’s L’incornazione di Poppea, and Dryad in Strauss’ Ariadne auf ensembles to produce 2-3 formal concerts each season diploma in stage direction of opera. She uses her innate Naxos. Concert works include Bach’s Magnificat and Mass and is committed to promoting new choral music through sense of musicality to lead the performers in creating a in B minor, Duruflé’s Requiem, Rachmaninoff’s All Night an annual Composition Contest prize. meaningful emotional journey for the audience. Her work at Vigil, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasie, Debussy’s Les Trois Around half of our ensemble are degreed musicians or the University of Cincinnati includes directing Mahagonny Chansons de Charles d’Orleans, and Rossini’s Le Petite music teachers, and membership is by audition through NANOWORKS Songspiel and Il Signor Bruschino. She has served as Messe Sollenelle. Stephanie graduated Magna cum laud our artistic director, Brett Scott from UC-CCM’s choral NANOWorks develops and stages short contemporary assistant director for Cosi fan Tutte, The Merry Widow, and from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University conducting faculty. Our repertoire is challenging, and operas by emerging North American composers and L’incoronazione di Poppea, also at CCM. Frances has been of Cincinnati where she received a bachelor of music. no other choir in Cincinnati offers the Camerata’s high- dedicates itself to raising the spotlight on young singers, an assistant director at Glimmerglass Opera, Pensacola She received her master’s degree at the University of quality performance opportunity for only a moderate time composers, librettists, directors, choreographers and other Opera, and the Brevard Music Festival. See more at Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Stephanie commitment to musicians with busy careers. company artists to give them a stepping stone to francesrabalais.com. currently lives in Chicago, where she studies with national attention. Julia Faulkner. NANOWorks will build a generational and cultural ANGELA CAROTA, CHILDREN’S CHOIR DIRECTOR bridge between Cincinnati’s traditional opera lovers and Angela embarked upon a career in music education as SCOTT WYATT those younger art audiences seeking a fresh, contemporary a result of private piano study throughout her formative Scott Wyatt has sung with many of the leading opera perspective. NANOWorks will also reach out to new years. She entered Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1996, companies, music festivals and symphonies throughout the audiences through educational programs in schools, and completed her bachelor’s degree in music education in United States, Europe, and Asia. Opera companies include satellite theaters and other unconventional venues. 2000. She then taught in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Paris National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand for several years, prior to entering The University of Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Santa Fe Opera, San Diego CPS WOODFORD PAIDEIA ACADEMY Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. She completed Opera, Washington D.C. Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Virginia The music program at Woodford Paideia Academy her Master of Music in Music Education degree in 2010. Opera, Long Beach Opera and Austin Lyric Opera. Music has grown extensively in the last few years. Since the Upon completion of her master’s degree, she was awarded Festivals include the Zwingenberg, Aspen and Rising Sun introduction of orchestra in 2013, the ensemble has a full research grant through the Fulbright Exchange Music Festivals. Solo tenor engagements with symphonies expanded to 120 members. The Orff-Schulwerk-based Program to study Carl Orff’s music education philosophy, include work with the Singapore, Weinersalon, San General Music program includes frequent performances CONCERT:NOVA Orff-Schulwerk, in Salzburg, Austria. Currently, Angela Diego, Austin, Santa Fe, Illinois, Tuscaloosa, Kankakee and for all grade levels. The children at Woodford improve teaches general music, orchestra, and choir at Woodford Hamilton-Fairfield Symphonies. concert:nova is a laboratory for creative experimentation. upon their artistry through singing, playing instruments, An artist-driven ensemble, the group engages audiences Paideia Academy in Cincinnati Public Schools. In order to Highlights of his singing career include performing the composing, improvising, and making creative decisions maintain personal excellence as a musician, Angela sings title role in Mozart’s Idomeneo opposite Carol Vaness at by exploring combinations of chamber music with about music. interdisciplinary new works by local and international with the Cincinnati Camerata and continues to study the San Diego Opera. On one week’s notice Mr. Wyatt was artists. Performances reinvent the stage with meaningful piano and voice. She strongly feels that a good teacher flown in to take over for an ailing Jerry Hadley. He received PRPC CHURCH MUSIC PROGRAM must remain a life-long student. a heralding review from Classical Singer Magazine, Opera and relevant perspectives on brilliant works of art and Music plays a significant role in the weekly worship services music. Through artistic collaboration in performance, News and several other international opera reviewers. at PRPC under the direction of Dr. Tom Merrill. In addition Other performances of note include singing the title role internship programs and interactive events for youth, c:n to regular service music, the choir also presents two larger builds new expressive channels to engage our community. of Max in Schlossfestspiele Zwingenberg’s production works with an orchestra each year (e.g. Mozart Requiem, of Weber’s Der Freischütz, his portrayal of Mitch in concert:nova was formed in 2006 by a group of young Faure Requiem, Medelssohn Elijah.) Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra musicians who were Brad Dalton’s innovative production of Andre Previn’s A motivated to break down barriers between audience Streetcar Named Desire at the Austin Lyric Opera and the leading role in Michael Torke’s American Premiere of The He will be performing with Cincinnati Opera Chorus in their Gutenberg Bible of 1455, though relegated to an King of Hearts at the Aspen Music Festival. productions of Die Fledermaus, Fidelio, and Tosca, and will Mr. Wyatt has had the privilege of covering some of the debut as Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata at CCM. appendix in the King James Bible of 1611. As world’s most renowned tenors including Marcello Giordani, Jonathan Dove puts it: Gary Lakes, Jerry Hadley, Chris Merritt and Gösta Winbergh. TARA MORROW ABOUT The tale has a mystical aspect, but also has He has also had the honor of working under the artistic and Tara is a native of Naperville, graduating in April 2016 from the character of a Jewish folktale, especially general direction of the famed Placido Domingo at both the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music THE OPERA D.C. and L.A. Opera. Mr. Wyatt and his family now reside in with her masters in vocal performance. She has performed the scene in which Tobias is threatened by a Cincinnati, Ohio where he recently completed a Doctorate roles such as Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Jessie in huge fish, kills it, and is instructed to take its of Musical Arts Degree from the renowned Cincinnati Mahagonny Songspiel, and Amastris in Serse. This is her Conservatory of Music. At present he is a Professor of Voice first time performing with NANOworks Opera and she will heart and gall—which turn out to have magical at Cincinnati Christian University and Evangelist for the be playing Edna, the mother of Sara. SOURCES, MUSIC, AND NARRATIVE healing properties. New Richmond Church of Christ. In 1996, the director Kate Brown and the This chimes with the predilection which Dove has ADRIA CAFFARO ARYEH NUSSBAUM COHEN Adria Caffaro is a mezzo-soprano originally hailing from Reverend Simon Mackenzie of St Matthew’s demonstrated for folklore from diverse sources, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor, is already beginning Omaha, Nebraska. Caffaro is currently based out of Church, Perry Beeches, Birmingham, had an whether in L’augellino belverde (The Little Green to make his mark as a singer of operatic and concert works. Cincinnati, Ohio where she will be joining Cincinnati idea: to commission a church opera, with com- Bird; 1994), taken from a play by Gozzi, ground- Recent reviewers have hailed that he “shined” (Kronen Opera in their 2016 festival as a young artist. Caffaro has Zeitung, Austria’s largest newspaper), is “impressive” performed with Cincinnati Opera for the past two seasons, munity involvement, on the subject of Tobias ed in transformative fairytale elements, or the (operainwien.at), exhibits “distinct promise” (theoperacritic. credits include; Mary O’Fallin (Morning Star), Kate Pinkerton and the Angel, as a memorial to their college recent Swanhunter (2009), based on the Finnish com) and have described his recent European debut (Madama Butterfly), Madeleine Audebert (Silent Night), friend Nicholas John (1952 –1996), the English national epic, the Kalevala, in which the song of as “simply sensational!” (festspiele.de). Further, his latest as well as Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro) for Cincinnati engagement in New York led Parterre Box to call his Opera’s Outreach program. Caffaro is a recent graduate National Opera dramaturge and opera book edi- a mother reassembles and revitalises the torn performance “the most striking dramatic performance of of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of tor, whose life was cut short in a mountaineer- remains of her son. the evening,” and to describe his singing as possessing Music under the vocal instruction of William McGraw and ing accident in Liechtenstein. They approached Tobias and the Angel is one of Dove’s sunni- “voluptuous passion and soaring range.” (Parterre Box) received her Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees. Aryeh will be thrilled to be a participant in the Merola Roles performed at CCM; Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Aloès composer Jonathan Dove who, after reading the est and most serene scores. Though the racial Opera Program in San Francisco, California in Summer 2016. (L’etoile), Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte), Cherubino (Le Nozze story, decided that the playwright, director, and oppression and demonic possession of the ear- In the 2014-2015 season, he was thrilled to make his di Figaro), Tisbe (La Cenerentola), and Jennie Hildebrand anthropologist David Lan should write the libret- lier scenes are given their full due, the journey to European professional operatic debut at the Theater an (Street Scene). Caffaro has also participated in several der Wien in Vienna, Austria. He sang the role of Timante in new work commissions and workshops through the CCM to. The opera was first performed on 7 July 1999 at enlightenment casts a glow that marks this score Gluck’s Demofonte with baroque ensemble Il Complesso Opera Fusion program for Gregory Spears’ opera (Fellow Christ Church, Islington, as part of the Almeida out from much fin de siècle contemporary opera. Barocco, under the baton of maestro Alan Curtis. The Travelers), a workshop for the late Daniel Catán’s (Meet Festival, and was quickly taken up, receiving The instrumentation, for nine players, reflects recording of the work is forthcoming, set to be released John Doe), and a role in the world premiere of Ricky Ian in 2016. Gordon’s opera (Morning Star). In addition to CCM, further numerous productions in churches around the the dual biblical and Jewish folk source of the His opera roles also include Nerone in Monteverdi’s training involves participation as a studio artist with Central UK, as well as in North America. story by including not only an organ, but also a L’incoronazione di Poppea, Raphael (The Angel) in Jonathan City Opera in Colorado and the AIMS Institute in Graz, In 2005, the Young Vic / English Touring Opera group of instruments that are required to con- Dove’s Tobias and the Angel, Cefalo in Cavalli’s Gli Amori Austria. di Apollo e Dafne, and Cino in Vivaldi’s Teuzzone. Further, began a tour of it at St John’s, Waterloo, involving stitute a klezmer band onstage: violin, clarinet, Aryeh has significant experience in the world of sacred ANDREW MANEA the local community. The newly revamped Young accordion, and double-bass. music - highlights include serving as the alto soloist in Andrew Manea, baritone, is a native of Troy, MI. He received Vic theater in Waterloo opened in 2006 with this David Lan’s libretto is masterly, telling the a performance of the Bach Magnificat with the Leipzig his Bachelor’s from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Barockorchester in the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany is currently in his Masters at CCM. He will be graduating same production; it was the first time the opera story with economy and a fluidity of place that in 2014. from CCM in April of this year. Andrew has worked with had been performed in a theatre. are almost filmic. The narrative is all, with almost Aryeh currently resides in New York City, and recently many opera greats such as Maestro Lorin Maazel, Marilyn The story of Tobias and the Angel is found in no moments of character introspection or for- received his BA from Princeton University. He has Horne, and Warren Jones. Andrew has traveled to Perugia, spent extended time studying with Max van Egmond in Italy, Muscat, Oman, La Coruna, Spain, and Wuhan, China the book of Tobit, from the Apocrypha, a Greek mal arias. Though nothing interrupts the story- Amsterdam, and he currently studies with Dr. Robert C. to perform in various operas. He will be attending the word that literally means ‘hidden’. Though telling, it is governed by musical considerations, White, Jr. See his website at www.aryehnussbaumcohen. famed Merola Opera Program this summer where he will included in the Greek Old Testament, it is not Dove allowing his inspirations plenty of space to com for more information. be in Conrad Susa’s Transformations as #7. He will also be covering the role of Guglielmo in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte. regarded as part of the canon by Protestants, expand and breathe. The libretto, verbally tren- PEDRO ARROYO He will be playing the role of Ashmodeus, a demon, in nor of the Judaic bible, the Tanakh. St Jerome chant and spare, and simple in its imagery, is a German-born Puerto Rican tenor Pedro Arroyo is pursuing Tobias and the Angel. (c. 347—420) who translated the books of the gift to a composer—the equation of hearing and a DMA under the tutelage of Thomas Baresel. Roles performed include: The Prince in Dvorak’s Rusalka in Old Testament from Hebrew into Latin—the enlightenment is particularly fortuitous in a story Calgary and Halifax, Canada; Ferrando in Mozart’s Così fan Vulgate of the early fifth century—regarded told in music. tutte in Arkansas; Dr. Cajus in Verdi’s Falstaff and Mayor the tale as edifying spiritual reading, but not Almost alone among his contemporaries, Dove Upfold in Britten’s Albert Herring, both at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. Recent performances include Don authoritative scripture. He included the book has an innate sense of dramatic proportion and Ottavio in a concert featuring highlights of Mozart’s Don of Tobit in the Vulgate, even though, unlike the an instinct for knowing just when music should Giovanni, a Jew in Strauss’ Salome, both of these at CCM; Old Testament which had been written entire- propel or hold back. This can be seen most nota- choral singer and soloist with Queen City Chamber Opera’s performances of Handel’s Israel in Egypt, and Parpignol in ly in Hebrew, it originally appeared in Aramaic. bly in the intricate narrative of the preparation Puccini’s La Bohème with Opera Columbus. It is later found in the main body of the exhaustive for the journey, the scene switching rapidly between the two cities Nineve and Ecbatane. At series of repertoire operas for chamber forces; Musica nel this juncture, the music wisely takes a back seat Chiostro, Batignano (L’augellino belverde, 1994; Racconti di speranza e desiderio, 2001 – 06); and the Almeida theatre, his sleep. To an agitated version of Tobit’s intro- and does not impede comprehension; it sign- where he was associate composer, writing many theatre ductory music Edna laments, and Raguel chides posts just what is necessary. When the journey scores and chamber operas including Pig (1992), Siren Song her. Sara has felt nothing—her words echoed by itself starts, it is with an extended instrumental (1994), and Tobias and the Angel (1999). THE STORY At Glyndebourne, he started as assistant chorus master Tobit, in Nineve, who now sees nothing. passage that comes almost as an aural oasis, so and went on to write a series of community operas, Ashmodeus, the demon who inhabits Sara, well is it set up and earned. culminating in a piece for the big stage, the airport comedy reflects on his restful night. Raguel’s men Characters are deftly sketched with just a brief Flight. He has written music for many productions of the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, dispose of the body of Sara’s spouse, but the melodic idea or suggestion of individual texture: and two television operas for Channel 4: When She Died The opera is continuous and shifts back and forth orchard is already full of Sara’s previous hus- the vibraphone evokes Raphael’s otherworldly (Death of a Princess), which when aired in 2002 achieved in time and place. bands. Ashmodeus, proclaiming his love for quality; a threatening timpani tattoo is associat- record ratings because of its controversial subject matter, and Man on the Moon (2006). The Enchanted Pig (2006), a After a three-pronged orchestral flourish that Sara, enables her to strangle herself, but Edna ed with the demon, Ashmodeus; a disturbing yet Christmas opera for the Young Vic, received an initial run reflects Dove’s infatuation with Asian music, interrupts. Back at Tobit’s house in Nineve, Anna, sensuously swelling texture, redolent of oppres- of eighty-one performances – unheard of for an opera, let Tobit recounts, to a hypnotic four-note motif, Tobias, and Raphael discover that Tobit is blind. sive breathing, depicts the possessed Sara. The alone a contemporary one – and is regularly toured and revived, most recently in New York. how he has lived all his days in the realm of truth, Tobias is overcome with guilt at having gone out community opera forces, SATB chorus, unison Dove is also a prolific choral composer. He has and paints the background of the oppression and dancing. chorus, and children’s choir, are well integrat- produced a series of works based on his beloved Mozart: slaughter of Jews in Nineve. Sara and Tobit independently pray to be ed into the narrative so that there is no danger Figures in a Garden (1991), An Airmail Letter from Mozart (1993), and The Magic Flute Dances (1999). Material by The scene changes to the market at Nineve; released from their earthly torments, and are of their arresting the action just to be given a J.S. Bach is tellingly diffracted in a series of works that use Tobit tries to bury the bodies of slaughtered joined, in a brief ensemble, by Edna and Anna— chance to shine. period instruments: the opera L’altra Euridice (2001), the Jews, in contravention of the King’s orders to and by Tobias who prays to be shown his true path. The result is a swiftly moving work with a par- Köthener Messe (2002), written for the Akademie für Alte Musik, Berlin, and The Middleham Jewel (2003), written let them rot. Anna, his wife, calls him to sup- Anna is concerned that Tobit cannot work. adoxically leisurely pace: a story told in prima- for an ensemble that includes harpsichord and theorbo. per, but Tobias, his son, finds the body of Tobit’s Tobit tells Tobias of a loan he made, when young, ry colours, rendered timeless—modern, and Notable orchestral works include a trombone concerto, brother Joseph. to his cousin Raguel in Ecbatane. He tells Tobias ancient—rather like a frieze, or an icon, for our Stargazer (2001), premiered in 2006 by Ian Bousfield and the London Symphony Orchestra under Michael Tobias grumbles that Tobit is endangering his to cross the mountain and reclaim the money. times. © 2010 Julian Grant Tilson Thomas; Work in Progress (2005), a large-scale family by defying the law, and avoids thinking Raphael offers to guide him, claiming to be piece for piano and orchestra, accompanying a film of about the predicament by going out dancing. Azarias, son of Tobit’s cousin Samaias, unknown the construction site from which the Sage Arts Centre, Gateshead, was to emerge, and premiered at the opening A klezmer band strikes up some Jewish folk to Anna. Tobit offers to pay him to guide Tobias. THE COMPOSER of the building; and Hojoki– An Account of My Hut (2006), music and Tobias joins a raucous and drunken The journey starts with a jaunty, lilting passage, Opera forms the backbone to the œuvre of Jonathan Dove for counter-tenor and orchestra. He has also written music dance, entertaining all with his antics. A strang- dominated by Raphael’s melody, now on picco- for two feature films, Venus Peter and Prague. who is the most performed contemporary opera composer er, Raphael, joins him in the dance, accompa- lo and clarinet. Raphael asks Tobias what he can in the UK. He has written more than twenty works in the genre, of all shapes and sizes, types and moods – a rate nied by a benign, predominately descending hear, but Tobias can only hear the drinking song of productivity more associated with previous centuries flute melody. Tobias remarks upon the still- from the night before. Raphael asks Tobias what and shared by only a very few peers. He has an ability to THE LIBRETTIST ness of his dancing, which sets Raphael apart. he hears from the trees. write in an up-to-the-minute idiom that is challenging but David Lan has been the Artistic Director of the Young They dance together momentarily to the band, Accompanied by organ and harp, the trees not obtuse, combining grateful vocal writing with sure-fire Vic Theatre, Waterloo, London since 2000, and won an theatrical timing. Olivier Award for his 2004 season. Born in South Africa, he but Raphael carries on after the band finishes. sing a simple chorale-like melody interlaced His operas tell stories without affectation, in a direct first trained as an actor. He went to Great Britain in 1972 Raphael exhorts Tobias to hear the stillness in with birdcalls. Tobias hears nothing. Raphael and compelling way, and cover a great range of subject and with his early plays quickly established himself as a the song, but Tobias cannot. Meanwhile, in the suggests that they eat, but Tobias brags that he matter, from contemporary to legendary, fairy-tale to force on the theatre scene. He then trained as a social sexual politics, catering to all audiences, from children to anthropologist at the London School of Economics, doing city of Ecbatane, to an uneasy rocking motion in never needs to—before tucking in. The journey adult. His two full-scale operas, Flight (Glyndebourne, 1998) two years of field research in the Zambezi Valley (1980 – the orchestra, we glimpse Edna and Raguel in bed, resumes, intensified by birdsong and Raphael’s and The Adventures of Pinocchio (Opera North, 2007), 82). His text Guns and Rain: Guerrillas and Spirit Mediums and their daughter Sara asleep with her husband. vibraphone texture. Raphael again asks Tobias have been produced in America, Europe, and Australia; in Zimbabwe, published in 1985, is recognised as a classic but writing for the community is an important priority. of modern social anthropology and is required reading for Edna checks in on them. what he can hear, but Tobias impatiently refers As Artistic Director of the Spitalfields Festival from 2001 many courses around the world. Back in Nineve, Tobias sleeps in the market to the drinking song again. Raphael asks Tobias to 2006, he highlighted in the programming the diverse In addition to that of Tobias and the Angel, he has while Raphael dances—silently. Tobit sleeps out- what he hears from the mountain. immigrant populations residing in East London; and a written the libretto for Param Vir’s Ion (2000). He has children’s opera, The Hackney Chronicles, was designed written English versions of Hippolytos by Euripides for side the graveyard. Morning is announced by a The mountain (male voices) sings, ‘Nothing’, for local schools to perform. the Almeida, La Lupa by Giovanni Verga for the Royal perky chorus of sparrows, suggested by chil- accompanied by a widely spaced five-note fig- His community cantata On Spital Fields won the Shakespeare Company, Ghetto by Joshua Sobol for the dren’s voices, which awakens Tobit. They def- ure—Tobias can hear nothing. Raphael sug- Education award of the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2006; National Theatre, and Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard and in 2008 he won the Ivor Novello Award for his services by Chekhov. He works extensively as a director, and in ecate in his eyes and blind him. Meanwhile, at gests that they rest, but Tobias brags he does not to classical music. He has had extended associations with 2009 was awarded an honorary doctorate of Literature by Raguel’s house in Ecbatane, Sara discovers that need to—before falling into an exhausted sleep. Birmingham Opera Company, for which he reduced a London South Bank University. her husband, like those before him, has died in At Ecbatane, Sara is tormented by Ashmodeus, and back in Nineve, Anna rebukes Tobit for his and Tobias says he can hear damnation. Raphael TOBIT He dances. After a while, Raphael dances greed, concerned that she will never see Tobias, instructs Tobias to lay the fish’s heart on the coals He is my brother. He must be buried. with him. My son, lift him. her son, again. of the fire. Outside, Raguel’s men dig Tobias’s PEOPLE IN MARKET Tobias and Raphael descend the mountain and grave, as Edna reflects that she would give all her TOBIAS I spent my money on a barrel of stout LIBRETTO The law says leave him. and I wouldn’t be so merry if I’d gone come to a river. Raphael asks Tobias what he can and Raguel’s riches to make Sara happy. without. hear, and though Tobias tries, he can hear noth- Sara welcomes Tobias to the marriage bed, TOBIT We Jews too have a law. A Jew who TOBIAS ing more than the rushing water. The river (wom- which Tobias likens to the river, and the orches- dies must be buried that day. It’s over. en’s voices) sings a smooth melody over a run- tra plays the rippling river music. Raphael Raphael goes on dancing. A GRAVEYARD TOBIT ning, glinting ostinato. Raphael tells Tobias to get warns Tobias, and their voices along with that of RAPHAEL Writing: Tobias and Tobit bury the Corpse. closer and Tobias falls in. A huge fish attempts to Ashmodeus are all woven into an ensemble. The No, while the flute sings I have wings. My name is Tobit. Here I will write devour him. Raphael still asks Tobias what he can wedding party carries on outside. ANNA how all my days I have walked in the These are bad times to be TOBIAS hear. The fish (children’s voices) tells that a pull Tobias leaps up and throws the fish heart on ways of truth. I lived in Nineve with my a good man. I can’t hear it sing or anything. of the tail will kill it, and its music is entwined the fire: Ashmodeus is exorcised and dragged wife and Tobias, my son. I shared my money with the poor, my clothes with TOBIAS RAGUEL’S HOUSE with that of the river. away by angels. An ensemble follows, the music the naked. ‘A meal not shared shall Now home and dinner. Edna and Raguel asleep in bed. Sara and Tobias wrestles with the fish, pulls its tail, and of the struggle mixing with that of the wedding. end in lamentation.’ And if I saw any her Husband asleep in bed. Edna wakes, TOBIT kills it. Raphael tells Tobias that he must have During the night, Edna and Raguel check on the Jew murdered by the king and thrown goes to Sara’s room, sees them asleep, outside the walls of Nineve I buried Polluted hands pollute a house. A bed listens to her Husband’s breathing, goes heard the fish sing, otherwise he would not have sleeping newly-weds. him which was forbidden but let him of leaves beside this wall and sleep. back to her room. lie and rot I could not. Truth. Justice. known how to kill it; but still, Tobias professes The chorus of sparrows announces the morn- TOBIAS RAGUEL to hear nothing. To a glittering texture on harp ing. Tobias rolls out of bed—alive, to Raguel’s cha- Justice. Truth. And the king of Nineve For you every Jew’s our brother. went on killing Jews. Tell me. and glockenspiel, Raphael sings a haunting chro- grin. Ashmodeus’s voice is heard in the distance. Mother disagrees. Only we matter, her, you, me. Are you right? Is she? What EDNA matic passage, instructing Tobias to cut out the Raguel gives Sara the dowry, which she hands to THE MARKET should I do? Sleep. Or find out who is Sleeping like an angel. playing that tune? heart and gall of the fish and keep them. When Tobias. Raphael, Tobias, and Sara set out for PEOPLE IN MARKET RAGUEL they reach the plain, Raphael asks directions to home, to the lilting strains of the music of the The king kills Jews. Their bodies must And him? lie unburied and rot. THE MARKET Raguel’s house. journey, all hearing the river, the mountain, and Tobias finds People drinking and dancing. EDNA There, to a satirical martial echo of the earlier the trees. In Nineve, Anna welcomes them home, TOBIT Like an angel. Who will help me bury this man? PEOPLE IN MARKET dance music, Raguel’s men respond, asking the but Tobit laments the fact that he cannot see his I spent my money on a barrel of stout THE MARKET guests whether they have come for the wedding or new daughter-in-law. Tobias reaches for the gall ANNA and I wouldn’t be so merry if I’d gone Tobit, your dinner is waiting. without. Tobias sleeps. Raphael dances. the wake. Raphael casually mentions that Tobias of the fish and Raphael instructs him to split it in Tobit sleeps outside the graveyard. will be Sara’s next husband, to the pity and deri- two and squeeze the juice into Tobit’s eyes. TOBIT Tobias does a dance which entertains every Anna, go home. Joseph ben Joseph – SPARROWS sion of the men—and the astonishment of Tobias. There is a huge choral outburst of angels and one. He dances with Raphael. Time to get up! Got to go! Wake up! ANNA Wake up! Move your bones! Shift Raguel ruefully reflects on the fact that people Tobit’s regained sight is vividly depicted by an TOBIAS only call on him to ask for money. When Tobias extended glockenspiel solo. The light burns, but Joseph? Where is he? Can he come Why do you dance so strangely? yourself! Morning! It’s morning! How to dinner? can you sleep in the morning? Get to is announced, Raguel remembers the loan he Tobit sees Tobias, Sara, and Anna. He offers to RAPHAEL your feet! Time to go home! Fluff your took from Tobit and laments the fact that he will give the guide, Raphael, all his money. To a strik- TOBIAS This is how we dance in my country. wings, brush your beak, peck at a He’s had his throat cut. seed and away! (Tobias wakes.) have to sell possessions and diminish his stock ing reprise of the opera’s opening, entwined with TOBIAS PEOPLE IN MARKET to repay Tobit. rapturous choral textures, Raphael reveals him- Then you did well to leave your TOBIT The king kills Jews. To her uneasy, rocking music, Tobias catches self to Tobit as an angel, his melody climaxing in country. Lord, thank you for the night, for the Raphael stops dancing. day. To see the sun’s first light is to sight of Sara and is struck by her beauty, hearing an ecstatic blurred shout from the full cast, cho- ANNA Home! Keep dancing! pray. To watch the birds in flight is the movement of her body. Seeing a way out of ruses, and orchestra. Raphael bids farewell and to pray. RAPHAEL paying his debt, Raguel hastily arranges a mar- exhorts Tobit to write a book. PEOPLE IN MARKET Bury him, the next dead Jew: you. To stop is also good. SPARROWS riage between Sara and Tobias. Sara is torn, not A slowly rocking five-beat hymn is taken up Move your bones! Shift yourself! TOBIAS wanting Tobias to be sacrificed to her but find- by the cast, decorated by reminiscences of the ANNA The sparrows defecate in Tobit’s eyes. Home, I beg you! For burying our No, while the fiddle sings I have wings. Pee-oo! That was good. Pee-oo! ing him very much to her liking. opening music, intercut with the heavenly music neighbours your back they break, our RAPHAEL TOBIT There is a wedding song and dance in klezmer of Raphael, and the distant wailing of Ashmodeus goods they take. They beat us from You can keep still and still keep town to town. Is it snowing? Now, that’s a wonder. style. Tobias can hear Sara’s body singing to for Sara. Tobit writes his book, and Raphael has dancing. Listen for the silence in the Snow in summer. song. It feels like dancing. him. As he approaches the bedroom, Raphael the last word: his journey with Tobias will be read PEOPLE IN MARKET The king kills Jews. SPARROWS asks him what he can hear. Ashmodeus is heard, about—spoken, or sung. © 2010 Julian Grant TOBIAS Pee-oo! I needed that! Get to your He listens. feet! Take to the road! Put on your This is boring. I could be dancing. boots! Time to go home! TOBIAS RAGUEL’S MEN EDNA AND ANNA TOBIAS RAPHAEL RAPHAEL It’s not snow. It’s feathers. carrying out the body We have much sorrow. Father, he believes a man can move Try again. Descending a mountain there are Someone’s plucking a goose. The pear tree, the quince tree, the without moving. We’d never reach many things to listen to. apple, the date, the fig tree, the plum TOBIAS Ecbatane. TOBIAS SPARROWS tree, the plum tree again. Lord, each step I take is a false one. I spent my money on a… TOBIAS Fluff your wings, brush your beak, Show me my path on earth. I have TOBIT Give me a clue. RAPHAEL peck at a seed and away! ASHMODEUS much sorrow. to Raphael The sparrows fly off. I have lived nine hundred years, You’ll receive a shilling a day. Bring What’s wrong with your ears? RAPHAEL I have loved only two lips, I have loved SARA him home safely, I’ll double your pay. Why can’t you hear what’s here? Can you hear singing? TOBIT only two eyes, only ten fingers, just I have much sorrow. TOBIAS TOBIAS The world’s gone white. I’ve gone one neck. RAPHAEL EDNA AND ANNA I’ve no idea. Why can’t I hear what? Is it that river? blind. White! I’m blind. All I see He puts Sara’s hands round her neck. Time to go. is white! We have much sorrow. RAPHAEL RAPHAEL TOBIAS EDNA TOBIT Listen. What is it singing? RAGUEL’S HOUSE No! Sara, no! Goodbye, mother. Father, goodbye. I have much sorrow. Climbing the Mountain Raphael The Husband’s body rolls out of bed onto You were strangling yourself. SARA TOBIAS What do you hear? the floor. He is dead. Sara sees the body. TOBIT’S HOUSE Nothing. That it’s a river? Don’t look at me like TOBIT’S HOUSE AND I’m a fool. It is a river. TOBIAS SARA TOBIT RAGUEL’S HOUSE ANNA As we go? Ah! Not again. Not again. Oh Lord Without his eyes how can he work? Nothing. RAPHAEL not again. But what’s it singing? ANNA Without his work how can we live? RAPHAEL RAPHAEL My husband, how did this happen? As we go. EDNA Not even the mountains? THE RIVER TOBIAS Oh. Oh. Again! Raguel! Oh, my In depth is danger. In danger is depth. EDNA I’ll work. TOBIAS daughter, I told you: ‘Call out TOBIAS In shallow’s safety. In safety is sleep. My daughter, how did this happen? I spent my money on a Nothing. when you feel it.’ Tobias and Raphael arrive. ANNA barrel of stout… In depth is safety. In safety is danger. You’ll work? Danger is shallow. Shallows run deep. THE MOUNTAIN SARA TOBIAS RAPHAEL Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I swear I felt nothing. I spent my money on a barrel of stout TOBIAS That’s the song of the city. This is far RAPHAEL I’ll earn. Did you hear it? and I wouldn’t be so merry if I’d… from the city. What do you hear here? TOBIAS EDNA Tobias sees that Tobit is blind. I think I heard nothing. I’m your mother. I’ll help you. ANNA TOBIAS TOBIAS You’ll earn? in anguish TOBIT Nothing. THE MOUNTAIN SARA I see nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. No! Even now I feel nothing. TOBIT SARA My son, when I was young I lent gold RAPHAEL TOBIAS Nothing. RAPHAEL RAGUEL to my cousin Raguel of Ecbatane. Go closer. Such small hands. Such raw weals all How did this happen? Which is what’s at the top of a Cross the mountain to Ecbatane. TOBIT mountain. Stone. Air. We’re there. over his body. What are you? TOBIAS ANNA Fetch me my money. Nothing. Shall we stop here and rest? He had bags of money. Didn’t you see? How close? Now you’ll get nothing. TOBIAS RAPHAEL TOBIAS RAPHAEL TOBIAS Father, I will go wherever you send Nothing? Not even the trees? Listen. I don’t need to. I can go a week SARA Close as you need to. When did it happen? me. I have never left this valley. To without a bed or a pillow full of down I am nothing. I feel nothing. Ecbatane? I don’t know the way. THE TREES or straw or even pebbles… TOBIAS ANNA How hard is wood but slow is good. They rest. Help! Help! I’ve fallen in. NINEVE Where did you go? RAPHAEL Our sap climbs high. Leaves love Lord I do. Sky. Lord Sun salutes each spring’s A Huge Fish tries to devour him. TOBIT TOBIAS new shoots and then we find we’ve RAGUEL’S HOUSE A fish is trying to eat me! Help! I see nothing. How could it happen? TOBIT left our roots behind. Who are you? SARA RAPHAEL ANNA Rope round my breast. Knife in my Listen! RAGUEL’S HOUSE TOBIAS Why don’t you know? TOBIAS I hear nothing. thigh. Crawl on my belly till I die. TOBIAS RAGUEL Him? He’s a stranger full of strange TOBIAS ASHMODEUS Help! Mardocheus! Ozias! Gothaniel! ideas. Forget him. RAPHAEL I was dancing. If I hadn’t gone dancing Shall we stop here and eat? Your beauty is my salvation. RAPHAEL ASHMODEUS till morning he’d still be able to see. RAPHAEL Listen! What a delightful night, what a restful I am Azarias, the son TOBIAS TOBIT’S HOUSE night. This is my favourite house in my SARA of your cousin Samaias. I don’t need to. I can go a week TOBIAS Lord, I am pure. I have no sin. Release ANNA favourite town. without bread and marmalade or Oh please help me! me, take me out of the earth. ANNA cheese or a little garlic sausage… Greed for your silver and gold has cost RAGUEL Samaias? I never heard of Samaias. us the life of our son. To ask more than They eat. Higher up the Mountain: RAPHAEL TOBIT Get rid of him. God gives is a sin. He’s gone. What does the fish sing? Lord, I am old, let me become as TOBIT RAPHAEL We won’t see him again. RAGUEL’S MEN earth. I have much sorrow. He was a good and honest man. What do you hear? TOBIAS We buried the others to Raphael TOBIT I don’t know! Tell me! SARA in the orchard. It’s full. You are welcome. Give me your hand. TOBIAS He’s well looked after. He’ll come I have much sorrow. to Tobias Not again. home safely. Your eyes will see him. RAPHAEL RAGUEL This man will guide you. Descending the Mountain What does the fish sing? Put him under the plum tree. THE FISH TOBIAS RAGUEL EDNA SARA RAGUEL’S MEN My scales are hard. My teeth are sharp. You’re joking. Wait. Is he young or is he old? It won’t show. Wait here. I’ll only be a moment. Dig deep. A tug on its tail ends the life of a carp. She goes into the room. RAPHAEL EDNA SARA Ashmodeus is there. EDNA THE RIVER It’s written. He’s a boy. It will when I dance. Go away! Our roses, the vineyard, the cake shop In depth is danger… RAPHAEL I’d give. If she loved a man and let him Tobias wrestles with the Huge Fish, TOBIAS TOBIAS EDNA What do you hear? live I’d sleep deep. pulls its tail and kills it. By whom? And her eyes? Did you hear them? Let me do up the buttons. They were singing. TOBIAS IN SARA’S ROOM RAGUEL’S MEN SARA RAPHAEL Her eyebrows! It’s no joke, sir. She’s married seven RAPHAEL I know what will happen. What did the fish sing? SARA times. Each poor soul we’ve dug a Not now. RAPHAEL Husband, come in. The night is warm. EDNA TOBIAS grave and buried. Wed. Bed. Dead. She’s not here. What do you hear? The sheets are cool. RAGUEL So do I. So does your father. This is the I didn’t hear. Tobias goes in. TOBIAS Is he ugly as sin? last time You’ll ever do this but you TOBIAS RAPHAEL So this is Ecbatane. We’ll fetch my will do this. You’re kidding! You’re not going to TOBIAS EDNA You heard it. You must have. You killed father’s money and we’ll go. start that at this time! Now I step in the river. He has the face of an angel. SARA it. Take your knife, it’s good and sharp. He gets into the bed. Slice its heart out with one cut. Cut its TWO ROOMS IN I want to. And I don’t want to. He’s so RAPHAEL TOBIAS lovely he takes my breath away. What’s wrong with your ears? gall out with one slice. Thank you, kind RAGUEL’S HOUSE The duet her breasts sang? ASHMODEUS old river carp. Wrap them, keep them Why can’t you hear what’s here? Only two lips. EDNA safely in your pocket. EDNA RAPHAEL You look so lovely You’ll take his TOBIAS Visitors. Tell me later. RAPHAEL breath away. Now your gloves. I’ve no idea. Why can’t I hear what? In depth is danger. ON THE PLAIN She greets Tobias and Raphael. Our guests are waiting. RAGUEL ASHMODEUS TOBIAS RAPHAEL RAGUEL I’ve decided. Her beauty is my salvation. Which is the way to the house Visitors. How bitter life is. THE COURTYARD In shallow’s danger. TOBIAS Tobias and Sara are married. of Raguel? If they came to play canasta, admire RAPHAEL SARA the roses, discuss the news, I’d cry: And her fingers’ ten sweet voices? Did Do you hear? RAGUEL Kiss my ankles. RAGUEL’S MEN you hear? Did you hear her? Did you ’Wake the acrobats, slaughter a goat, Flesh of one flesh. Blood of one blood. Master’s house has an iron gate. Are hear her singing? ASHMODEUS we’ll picnic by the river.’ But all they Bone of one bone. ASHMODEUS you for the wedding or the wake? ever want from me is gold. Is his damnation. Only ten fingers. Both are over but never for long. RAGUEL Tobias stamps on the glass. It breaks. to Tobias TOBIAS They’ll soon start singing a wedding EDNA RAPHAEL GUESTS song. Ah! Ah! The gate clangs open, He’s the son of your cousin. In our law right of marriage appertains I thought I heard ‘damnation’. Danger! to sons of cousins. As a consequence I Hurrah! What do I do? the dance starts but we get out our Sara and Tobias dance. At first, she is shovels and the gate clangs shut. RAGUEL say to you I deserve to die if I allow my SARA Tobias? It’s Tobias? Oh, bitter, bitter. dear child to marry any suitor but you. afraid. Then Tobias does his dance–as RAPHAEL Kiss my eyes. in the first scene. She falls for him and Listen for the silence in the song. TOBIAS From his father I once borrowed a Who’s getting married? huge sum. To pay it back I’d have TOBIAS dances with him. Listen! TOBIAS to sell my camels, the vineyard, the I say to you you deserve to die if you Drink deep. Drink deep. The wine Safety is danger. TOBIAS RAGUEL’S MEN cake shop and all my illuminated allow your daughter Sara to marry any won’t keep. There’s bottles and barrels Same bride always. Master’s daughter. suitor but me. and casks and jars and we’ll all be He listens. SARA manuscripts. Sara! Send her to greet The fish’s heart! Kiss my eyes. Name of Sara. them. Hurry! Hurry! Cousin? What is back for more ‘Hurrahs!’ next week. RAGUEL Drink deep. cousin? I know wife. I know daughter. RAPHAEL ASHMODEUS RAPHAEL Paper. What is cousin? Cousin’s nothing! Oh, Yes! Only two lips. You’re to be her husband. TOBIAS my ledger. Oh, my friend. So fat, so TOBIAS to Raphael TOBIAS RAPHAEL RAGUEL’S MEN faithful. You are my life. What do I owe Fetch him paper. Sign? Every bone of her body is singing! Where is it? We’ve lost it! Danger, danger! Oh, he’s next, is he? him? Back five years. Zeros. Back ten I hear every drop of sweat singing! years. Back twenty years. Zeros. Zeros. RAGUEL He finds it. SARA TOBIAS Yes! Now I sign. Wake the acrobats. Dark eyes devouring me. I’m drowning GUESTS RAPHAEL Kiss my wrists. I’m to be what? in zeros. Drowning…Ah, here it is. Slaughter a goat. We’ll picnic by the Drink deep. Drink deep. The wine river. A wedding! When the room is good and dark, Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. I’d have to pay won’t keep. Toast the groom in TOBIAS RAPHAEL when the fire is burning low, lay it on him my life! bubbling beer. There’ll be a brand new Safety is danger. Her husband. SARA’S ROOM the glowing coal, heart of kind old man to cheer next week. Drink deep. river carp. In the courtyard, the Guests are still SARA RAGUEL’S MEN singing and dancing. to Tobias and Raphael EDNA In the garden, Raguel and his Men dig a Poor fella. Put on the dress. Tobias and Sara dance again. grave. Edna watches. You’re welcome. Here’s cheese. Here’s Drink deep. Drink deep. The wine GUESTS TOBIAS chocolate. Here’s cherries. Drink deep. Drink deep. The wine SARA won’t keep. The bride’s a beauty, so RAGUEL’S MEN Whose? It’s filthy. supple and sleek. We’ll watch her turn Dig deep. Dig deep. Lay the bones in a won’t keep… TOBIAS the other cheek next week. heap. Dry bones don’t weep. RAGUEL’S MEN Did you hear? Did you hear her? RAGUEL’S MEN EDNA Deaf, is he? Drink deep. Dig deep. Dig deep. I washed it. It’s still good. RAGUEL RAPHAEL They took my daughter and my jewels Lay the bones in a heap… RAPHAEL Shh! Tobias and Sara are led to Sara’s room. SARA and gold but a night with my daughter The most beautiful girl in Ecbatane. It isn’t. It’s torn here. Raphael goes with them. EDNA TOBIAS and their blood ran cold. Our roses the vineyard… Did you hear her singing? RAGUEL GUESTS RAPHAEL TOBIAS RAPHAEL They took my daughter and my silver To see the sun’s first light is to pray. I hear the trees. Gold. It’s his gold. Put it in his hands. You know but in case he forgets and gold… to Tobit SPARROWS THE TREES ANGELS write it in a book. TOBIAS Got to go! Got to go! How hard is wood but slow is good. Ah! Every bone of her body… It’s morning! Morning! Our sap climbs high. Leaves love Lord CHORUS Tobias leaps up and throws the fish heart Sky. Lord Sun salutes each spring’s TOBIT Benedicte onto the fire. EDNA new shoots and then we find we’ve I can see a light! Turn to Him with your ears. Turn to Now give him the money you owe to left our roots behind. Him with your feet. Turn to Him with SARA ASHMODEUS his father. More fish gall! your whole heart and He will sing and Ahhhhhhhh! TOBIT’S HOUSE He will dance for you. He is dragged away by angels. GUESTS Give him every penny you owe TOBIT ANNA All I see is light! ASHMODEUS RAPHAEL to his father. Look! Tobit, look! Can you see? far away Go to the deserts of Egypt, ANGELS Sara! Sara! SPARROWS Ashmodeus. Go to the burning sands TOBIT Get to your feet! Take to the road! Put Light light light light…Light sky sun of Egypt, Ashmodeus, where I will bind I can see nothing. light…Light sky sun life… EDNA AND CHORUS you, Ashmodeus. on your boots! Time to go home! Turn to Him with your ears. Turn to ANNA TOBIAS Him with your feet. Turn to Him with RAGUEL ASHMODEUS to Tobias Son-in-law? What is son-in-law? Father, can you see now? Can you see your whole heart and He will sing and in agony Now I’ve seen you I’m happy to die. me? Can you see Sara? He will dance for you. Must I leave you? Must I wait nine I know wife. I know daughter. Son-in-law is nothing! TOBIT hundred years until I find you? TOBIT RAPHAEL Come with me, Sara! Who is it? Blessed Lord, thou hast scourged me. Now some may read and speak ASHMODEUS Come with me! Now I see you pity me for now I see about our journey and some may very far away TOBIAS Nothing. Tell him. sky, sun, my son, his wife, my wife, read and sing. SARA life’s light. I can see. I can see. Kiss my eyes. Kiss my wrists. Ah! SARA SARA Father, I know father. Father. ANGELS END The Wedding Guests and Raguel’s Men Raguel gives her the money. Light light light light…Light sky sun © 1999 David Lan, asleep on the ground. Sara and Tobias I know husband. TOBIT light…Light sky sun life… Peters Edition Ltd, London asleep in bed. Edna goes to Sara’s room, She gives it to Tobias. Don’t mock me. I have no daughter. sees them asleep, listens to Tobias’s TOBIT ANNA The guide who took you, give him his breathing, goes back to her room. RAPHAEL I know the way home. You have a daughter. You have a son. wages. Double his wages. RAGUEL TOBIAS TOBIAS Tell me. SPARROWS Fluff your wings, brush your beak, This is my wife, my cousin, my Sara. Father, we should give him half of your EDNA peck at a seed and away! Here is your money in paper and gold. money. He guided me, saved me, Sleeping like an angel. Tobias, Sara and Raphael set out for home. healed you, healed my wife. ANNA RAGUEL Never mind the money. This is his wife, TOBIT And him? THE JOURNEY HOME his cousin, his Sara. Much more than Take half. Take all. Take everything and left us has come home. go in safety. RAPHAEL EDNA Do you hear the river? Like an angel. TOBIT RAPHAEL If only I could see you. It’s better to give alms than lay up TOBIAS SPARROWS I hear the river. Do you hear the river? gold for alms deliver from death and Time to get up! Time to get up! Got to TOBIAS blindness. When you buried the dead go! Got to go! The gall of the fish! Is that right? SARA I was at your side. When you called Tobias’s body rolls out of the bed onto the I hear the river. We’ve lost it! My pocket. for help I came to your side. For I am floor. Raguel hurries to Sara’s room. Raphael, one of the angels who sing RAPHAEL Wake up! Wake up! RAPHAEL the glory of the Lord. Tobias gets to his feet. Do you hear the mountain? Slice the gall up into two. Press half on each sightless eye. Squeeze the juice ANGELS AND EVERYONE TOBIAS TOBIAS into each eye. Kind old carp, farewell Ah! Ah! First thing we buy: a wider bed. I hear the mountain. to you. Do you hear the mountain? RAPHAEL RAGUEL TOBIT Fear not. It shall go well with thee. Damn! SARA Ah! I now go back to Him who sent me. I hear the mountain. EDNA ANGELS TOBIAS Lord, thank you for the night, TOBIAS Ha ha ha ha ha ah! Don’t go! How will I know what to do for the day. Do you hear the trees? without you? TOBIT SPARROWS SARA Oh! It burns! It burns! What’s that? Time to get up! Time to get up! Wake I hear the trees. Do you hear the trees? Over there. I see glowing. up! Wake up! PATRONS & THANKS COLLABORATING DONORS ENSEMBLES

ArtsWave >> To our funders, without whom today’s Ohio Arts Council production would not be possible: Ohio Tangeman Sacred Music Center Arts Council, ArtsWave, and the Tangeman SBM Management Services Sacred Music Center Laura Lander >> Jennifer and Kendall Jolley, Jessica Bill Seale Grimmer, and Joelle Trubowtiz of North David Burch American New Opera Workshop for Nina Naberhaus gathering such a talented cast of soloists Ellen Harrison >> Ixi Chen of concert:nova for sharing their Nan Merrow world-class musicianship Brenda Huffines >> Brett Scott for reaching out to connections CINCINNATICAMERATA.COM Darrin Hunter and making this collaboration happen CONCERTNOVA.COM Ralph & Mary Shipley >> Angela Carota for her work at Woodford NANOWORKSOPERA.COM Chuck & Jean Lauterbach Paideia to enrich the musical lives of her ON THE WEB CCM.UC.EDU/THEATRE/OPERA.HTML Larissa & Kurt Sanders students and share their talents with us WOODFORD.CPS-K12.ORG Jani Butler >> The kids and parents of CPS Woodford for PRPC.ORG LeeAnn Kordenbroch persevering the rehearsal schedules and Andrew J. Piaskowy providing today’s sparrow songs Penny Schenk >> Tom Merrill and everyone at Pleasant Ridge Bill Hummel Presbyterian Church who have graciously Betsy MacConnell given the production a fitting venue MADE Mary Sweet >> Robin Guarino and Frances Rabalais from POSSIBLE BY CCM’s Opera Department who shared with us their stage production prowess

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