LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35

LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35 www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.669034-35

Lori Laitman (b. 1955) The Scarlet Letter (2008, rev. 2015–16)

Opera in Two Acts Libretto by David Mason (b. 1954)

Based on the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) Commissioned by The University of Central Arkansas through Robert Holden and the UCA Opera Program

Cast in order of vocal appearance

A Sailor ...... Charles Eaton, Baritone A Farmer ...... Benjamin Werley, Tenor Goodwife 1 ...... Emily Robinson, Soprano John Wilson, an elder minister ...... Kyle Knapp, Tenor Governor Bellingham ...... Daniel Belcher, Baritone Arthur Dimmesdale, a young minister ...... Dominic Armstrong, Tenor Congregation Leader ...... William Bryan, Baritone Goodwife 2 ...... Becky Bradley, Soprano Goodwife 3 ...... Danielle Lombardi, Mezzo-soprano Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s long-missing husband . . . . Malcolm MacKenzie, Baritone Hester Prynne, a young seamstress ...... Laura Claycomb, Soprano Mistress Hibbons, a witch ...... Margaret Gawrysiak, Mezzo-soprano A Shipmaster ...... William Bryan, Baritone Pearl, Hester’s daughter ...... Maiah Howie (non-speaking role)

CD 1 SAILOR Act One Mark how the town has taken form.

[1] Scene One FARMER Mark how the will of God has farmed It is June. Lights rise on a common in old Boston, a from Governor to lowest worm. space serving as marketplace and green. On one side the hulking jailhouse where, surprisingly, a blooming The dignitaries have begun to gather on the meeting rosebush thrives. Next to the jailhouse door, steps rise to house balcony, including Governor Bellingham in his a scaffold about shoulder height. Across the open space finery, the elder minister John Wilson, and the pale a community meeting house rises. It too has steps young minister Arthur Dimmesdale. outside it, leading to a balcony that is significantly higher than the scaffold. With an aura of excited anticipation, GOODWIFE 1 townspeople gather in the space between these two The winter’s past, the rose in bloom. edifices, most of them dressed for laboring, a few with Now sunlight has dispelled the gloom the dark tunics and broad white collars of the Though forest shadows crowd our homes. seventeenth century Puritan. CHORUS A SAILOR We framed the cabins of our faith. Over the teeming sea we sailed. We cleared the ways and muddy lanes. Out of the secret woods we carved This clarity we do embrace. a settlement for man and God. New England is our home, the shore A FARMER and forest ours for evermore. Good is the land we cleared for Him. Our Lord has opened up the door. Free from the lash, the stranger’s law. Into the light of God we come. WILSON (to the people)

Repent. The world was born in sin. One law for the savage heart One law for the babe in arms. BELLINGHAM Repent. Let freedom here begin. One law for the fallen world. One law for eternity. DIMMESDALE One law for the woman's child. Repent and hide thy shameful skin. One law, our community.

CHORUS Save us from the Evil One. We do repent our sins to God Save us till all time has run Who gave His son in earthly blood. Save us! Save us! We mark His law in every deed. Winter from the world is gone. We built this town in praise to Thee. God's light on the town has shone. In freedom know we are not free. Save us! Save us! From Thy swift justice nothing flees. Passionate loving One, The forest shadows crowd our homes. Give us Thy blessed Son. Redeem the day, the rose that blooms. Save us! Save us! The winter’s past and all its harms. CHILLINGWORTH Hester Prynne is led from the jailhouse by the grisly Who is to be saved? town-beadle with staff in hand. They turn to the steps, their backs to the audience, though we have just made SAILOR out that Hester carries a baby in her arms. Slowly they Those born in sin. ascend the scaffold. CHILLINGWORTH CHORUS Meaning us all? One law for the sea we crossed. One law for the forest dark. SAILOR One law for the savage heart. And her—Hester Prynne. One law for the babe in arms. Chillingworth starts at the name, looks up at the woman Roger Chillingworth has entered the crowd in the on the scaffold. company of an Indian in feathered regalia. He looks about with deep interest at the scene, taking in the levels FARMER of balcony, scaffold and street. You must be a stranger, friend, and do not know the scandal GOODWIFE 2 In Master Dimmesdale's church. The Devil lives in yonder wood. Our fine young minister Hester Prynne is of his brood. Now must dispel the bad At night she eats his pilfered food. Effect of this deed.

GOODWIFE 3 CHILLINGWORTH She leveled shame upon us all Long was my journey and now must wear the bitch's pall By land and by sea, and letter of the broken rule. My bondage far off Among the heathen. Having mounted the scaffold, Hester turns so that all can Today an Indian seen the embroidered A fastened to her bodice over the Kindly has brought me heart. She stands bare-headed, beautiful and dignified, Out of captivity. holding her baby. SAILOR CHORUS You will know the tale. One law for the sea we crossed. Yonder woman, Sir, was the wife One law for the forest dark.

ⓟ & © 2017 Naxos Rights US, Inc. Page 2 of 20 LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35 www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.669034-35 of a certain learned man Listen to my good friend and came here ahead of him Declaim your lowly sin. to our New England. I bid you speak the name: your co-conspirator FARMER who led you to this shame. She has been here two years. Your silent fellow-sufferer— expose him to these eyes, SAILOR end his hypocrisy Misguided years, they say. whoever he may be. Triumph over evil. CHILLINGWORTH Open up your heart A bitter thing, I see. to offerings of mercy. And who, I prithee, might the father be? CHILLINGWORTH She will not speak. A gavel sounds three times from the balcony. The men Someone she protects. hush and, with everyone else in the crowd, look up at the dignitaries. DIMMESDALE Hester. Hester Prynne. WILSON Hester. Hester Prynne, CHILLINGWORTH you have acknowledged sin. She will not speak. It is a vileness you have done. We sentence you. WILSON The name. Give us the name. But in the mercy of our hearts We spare you from the pillory BELLINGHAM and bid you stand in shame. Dear child, give us the name. We sentence you. DIMMESDALE A short duration here Speak but his name. Relent. Before the public eye. Remove the scarlet letter But wear the letter A from your breast. Upon your sinful breast Until the day you die. HESTER We sentence you. Never.

I call upon this man, DIMMESDALE Good Arthur Dimmesdale who Hester. Hester Prynne. One name. Has guided well his flock, The folk you have betrayed, HESTER The good man you ignored, It is too deeply branded here. to save you from yourself I cannot take the letter off, and sentence you. and if I must I will endure his agony as well as mine. CHILLINGWORTH (Aside) I know her. CHILLINGWORTH (from the crowd) Speak, and give your child a father! DIMMESDALE Hester. Hester Prynne. HESTER (not seeing who has called) What father would you have her know? CHILLINGWORTH I shall not speak the secret name. I know her. A Heavenly Father she will know and will require no other name. DIMMESDALE (looking steadily at Hester)

DIMMESDALE Dimmesdale stares at the empty scaffold. Chillingworth Wondrous generosity. looks up at the dignitaries above the crowd, and takes a Wondrous strength of a woman's heart. step toward them. She will not speak. BLACKOUT CHORUS She will not speak! [2] Scene Two

BELLINGHAM Later the same day. Hester's room in the jail. A small One law for eternity. bed where she tends her baby. Chillingworth, carrying a doctor's satchel, is shown in by the beadle. CHILLINGWORTH Woman, you must tell the name. CHILLINGWORTH Hester. Hester Prynne. CHORUS One law for the sea we crossed. She recognizes him and is taken aback. The singers One law for the forest dark. must convey hints of a relationship before it is openly One law for the savage heart. stated. One law for the babe in arms. CHILLINGWORTH Save us from the Evil One. Be not afraid. Save us till all time has run. I come as a physician. Save us! Save us! The child is ill?

Winter from the world has gone. HESTER Somewhere with us there is one I know not how. as sinful as Hester Prynne. Save him. Save him. CHILLINGWORTH But you know me. Hester, clutching the baby, is led down the steps and slowly into the jail. HESTER I do. CHILLINGWORTH I thought you dead these two years passed. She will not speak. CHILLINGWORTH DIMMESDALE And so I died. Above a year Oh generous heart. I've sojourned with the savages, my lot to be an honored slave WILSON until redeemed and then set free. Young man, it is your duty now To cleanse the sorrow from her brow. Do you remember all my studies, both medicine and alchemy? CHORUS (sotto voce) And now my time among the heathen One law. One law. One law. One. has taught me secrets of the forest. I have a potion for the child The jailhouse door slams shut. to give her strength to bear this cross.

WILSON HESTER Our eyes are dim. We cannot see. Would you deny her innocence?

DIMMESDALE CHILLINGWORTH One law for eternity. She is your child. She's none of mine. I am a doctor, though, and sworn CHORUS to heal all human creatures born. One law. One law. One law. One. Hester allows him to administer medicine to the baby.

CHILLINGWORTH CHILLINGWORTH My heart was large, my body old. Now one more potion have I made I longed to build a hearth, a fire. for you whom I knew as a maid. I saw your smile was never cold. You took my hand up without fear. HESTER If it were poison I might drink. HESTER I was so young. I never lied. CHILLINGWORTH I shut the door on life and cried Do you not know me, Hester Prynne? some gallant man might rescue me. Know that I would let you live I married you. You married me. with shame that burns upon your breast. Always searching for a father, He touches the scarlet letter, withdraws his hand. Hester though all men be made of clay, lowers her head, then drains the cup of medicine he has I saw you in that English weather given her. and thought it was my dancing day.

CHILLINGWORTH The pattern and the mystery, Now truly know me, Hester Prynne. the sorrow of a hope gone wrong, My eyes grown dim from candlelight, this is my secret history, an aging man, a mindful man, this is the burden of my song. too long a student of the night. CHILLINGWORTH When I was young I dreamt of love, Will you never say the name, the fond endearments of the flesh the father of your sleeping child? as lovers fit like hand and glove, You make me wonder why I came, but now my heart is burnt to ash. only to find your heart grown cold.

I was misshapen all my life— You kindled life in me, but now this crooked back, this lurching gait— I am a stranger to us both. but hoped the scientific knife It is his name that I must know could carve a more illustrious fate. and I will learn it, by my troth.

Perhaps some pretty girl would see HESTER the beauty of my mind. None did. Your acts are mercy but your words, This physical deformity— your words interpret you as terror. my body—it was better hid. CHILLINGWORTH I walked out of the dismal wood. Hester, do not treat me hard, This settlement of Christian men for I shall know your paramour. shall not know who I am for good. I saw you on the scaffold then. . . . Betray me not unto the town. I bear the name of Chillingworth. HESTER They do not know me, who I am, Then I have done you grievous wrong. nothing of my English birth.

CHILLINGWORTH My name and motive are my own. We've done each other wrong. I too I could denounce you, cast you off. must bear responsibility, Revenge is leaner than a bone, who plucked your budding youth away but I shall have it. Do not scoff. and wedded you to my decay. HESTER HESTER A secret then, protecting me. Remember I was frank with you.

CHILLINGWORTH sleep on, my Pearl, sleep on. As you protect your secret love. I'll earn our bread by handiwork, HESTER CHILLINGWORTH my skilled embroidery, Too young I was This is my choice, and you shall grow, the daughter of and did not know to pry the truth a love kept secretly. that love would come in secret life disguised as truth. from out this town. Our prison door thrown open, love, we shall step into light, With my own hand The letter you wear and though I bear the letter here I made the letter will give you bad dreams. over my breaking heart, embroidered here Must you still wear it over my heart. even in sleep? nothing will come to harm you, Pearl, as long as I'm alive. I would have died My heart has died This lullaby I sing to you. but love gave me to human love. May you live long and thrive. this sleeping child I will possess who is my life. your lover's name. You are my Pearl beyond all price. Sleep on, my love, sleep on. Chillingworth reaches as if to touch the scarlet letter More worthy than all sacrifice, again. sleep on, my Pearl, sleep on.

CHILLINGWORTH BLACKOUT Hester. Hester Prynne. [3] Choral Interlude: Time Passing HESTER No! Let years accumulate like trees, the drifting snows, the darkening wood. CHILLINGWORTH As springtime blows across the sea I will have his name, his life. we strive to comprehend the good.

HESTER Time is vaster than the earth. Are you a devil now, Time is larger than our law. haunting the forest? Time before all human birth Am I bonded to you and all we have no image for. for all of my life? Will you have my soul? The summers pass, the crops fulfilled, the autumn harvests fill the barns. CHILLINGWORTH Winter bows us to Thy will Your soul, Hester Prynne? Your soul? and spring returns us to the farms. No, not yours. Not yours. We must devote our lives to God, Chillingworth picks up his satchel, nods and departs. our safety in community, Hester, intensely worried, cradles her child. As she sings His secrets never understood her lullaby to Pearl, she tucks her hair up under a narrow though years revolve relentlessly. cap. Let days accumulate like trees, HESTER the drifting snows, the darkening wood. By medicine or alchemy As summer blows across the sea sleep on, my child, sleep on. we strive to comprehend the good. A daughter of adultery adored, my child, sleep on. [4] Scene Three

You are the Pearl beyond all price. Summer, years later. The garden outside the house of Sleep on, my love, sleep on. Governor Bellingham. Strolling among the blooming More worthy than all sacrifice,

ⓟ & © 2017 Naxos Rights US, Inc. Page 6 of 20 LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35 www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.669034-35 roses are the Governor himself with John Wilson. Behind The two men turn aside on the garden path and continue them, evidently in a separate conversation, are Roger their conversation. Meanwhile, Dimmesdale and Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale, the one looking Chillingworth can now be overheard. older, the other paler, as if ill. CHILLINGWORTH BELLINGHAM (to Wilson) Sir, you are not well. My dear Sir, I am pained to see the child has grown up savagely. DIMMESDALE Her mother proudly keeps apart My friend, and practices the needle's art you must not trouble over me. to earn her bread. She's learned to scrimp. I'm one who takes too much to heart They say her daughter Pearl's an imp. concerns of my community.

WILSON CHILLINGWORTH This imp could be a child of night. Your heart is what I worry for. She dresses in a cloth as bright The way you hold your hand across as that incriminating letter your chest as if to stop a pain. her sinful mother has embroidered. Long years the congregation watched, DIMMESDALE observing that the child is touched It's nothing. with an uncanny spirit. Though we cannot fathom how, she grows CHILLINGWORTH as if unlawfully, and loves Nothing? Or some great loss? to dance among the apple groves David gazed upon Bathsheba, and sings no tune we recognize so beautiful as she was bathing, and has much mischief in her eyes. and lay with her, and sent her husband into the battle to be killed. BELLINGHAM That was the story of your sermon. So have I heard. I have been slow Why, I wondered, dwell upon to act upon the rumor, though, the guilty king of long ago? because in our community so many troubles occupy DIMMESDALE we few who govern. As you know To make us all remember, friend, our founder Winthrop's dying now. mankind is born enslaved to sin. Atonement is a task for all WILSON no matter where God's Grace may fall. And soon a new election day will come for those who work and pray. BELLINGHAM Behold, the unhappy woman has come. BELLINGHAM Still, I have given hours of thought WILSON to Hester Prynne, and we have got And with her a scarlet little bird. to know as a community if she has raised a child too free. Hester and her daughter, Pearl (wearing a red dress) enter the garden and curtsey before the Governor and WILSON Mr. Wilson. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth look on with We must interrogate the child? heightened interest, each keeping his motives to himself, the one torn by love and guilt, the other eager to BELLINGHAM possess and to control. To see if she has grown too wild. The mother, meanwhile, we'll observe, BELLINGHAM discovering whether, as we've heard, Hester Prynne, the years have passed. she bears a look of sorcery. The town has seen how much this lass They shall be with us presently. has grown, and now it is our role to fear for her immortal soul. We charge you, speak of what you do

ⓟ & © 2017 Naxos Rights US, Inc. Page 7 of 20 LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35 www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.669034-35 to teach the child the good, the true. BELLINGHAM She knows her letters, I would say, HESTER perhaps the Catechism's rule. The lessons that I would impart are carried here, upon my heart. WILSON But treats her pastor like a fool WILSON and answers like a fox at play. Woman, that is a badge of shame. "Who made you, little child?" I said. And she: "Nobody made me, Sir. HESTER My mother plucked me from a rose bush And teaches me to lay no blame, That grew outside the prison door." to judge no person but myself. HESTER BELLINGHAM She is my child, my gift of God. Then we shall question this dear elf. If you, her mother, will allow, BELLINGHAM we'll start the examination now. My poor woman, we must take her.

Bellingham and Wilson take Pearl aside. Hester, full of HESTER concern, looks at Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, who No! I beg you, no! No! No! approach. Chillingworth, smiling odiously, has whispered something in Dimmesdale's ear. BELLINGHAM My poor woman, we must take her. HESTER What do you speak of? What? HESTER What are you planning now? Never. No, no, no! Did you convince these men to exercise their power? She turns imploringly to Dimmesdale.

DIMMESDALE Sir, please speak for me. This good man is a friend You are my pastor. Please! and would do you no harm. Please speak for me. I lean on his advice You are my pastor. Please. and trust him to be true. Please speak for me. Please! You had charge of my soul. Bellingham and Wilson have been shocked by You know me better than they. something Pearl has said to them, and stagger You have such sympathy, backwards. I beg you, speak for me.

WILSON WILSON How can this be! We'll find a proper home for her.

BELLINGHAM HESTER The little imp! I beg you, speak for me.

WILSON DIMMESDALE (collecting himself) She has a very devilish wit. There is truth in what she says. An awful sacredness, HESTER a law that we must honor She is my child, a gift of God. lies between a mother and a child, her own. WILSON Our Father, the Creator, We have found it very odd had a hand in this. she cannot say how she was made.

CHILLINGWORTH (ominously) You speak, my friend [5] Scene Four with a strange earnestness. A small space of light. The home of Arthur Dimmesdale, DIMMESDALE now shared with Roger Chillingworth. Dimmesdale sits in It is the will of God. a chair, evidently ill, a blanket over his lap. Chillingworth It is His Providence. shakes a vial and pours its contents into a drinking We must not be so bold glass. to send her daughter hence. CHILLINGWORTH Silence. Pearl has come forward, drawn by Just one more potion for you, friend. Dimmesdale's words, and rests her cheek against his I pray your suffering will end. outstretched hand while the others look on, amazed. Dimmesdale spontaneously kisses the child's forehead. DIMMESDALE At this, Pearl laughs and skips away. My suffering means little now. I seem embarked on a dark road WILSON with only the solace of the Book This little baggage has bewitched you. and memories of happiness.

CHILLINGWORTH CHILLINGWORTH (half to himself) A strange child. What weighs on you? What weakens you? Is there some terror of the night DIMMESDALE that keeps your tossing mind from rest? A child of God. Some quarrel with yourself? Some blade of sorrow twisting in your breast? CHILLINGWORTH Might we research her moods, DIMMESDALE her personality, You watch me like a hawk. and ascertain the father? CHILLINGWORTH DIMMESDALE A doctor No. Must observe his patient well.

CHILLINGWORTH DIMMESDALE But why not inquire? You question me so closely, friend.

HESTER CHILLINGWORTH She is my child. To see your suffering at an end. I've made a study of the mind, WILSON its weaknesses, its inward pains. She has grown wild. You've been my friend for years. We've shared She does not know these lodgings and I've seen you suffer. the Heavenly Father. I've nursed you, kept you close to me, but fear some secret grips your soul, CHILLINGWORTH (firmly) weakens your body day by day, It is the earthly father bleeds you of desire to live. I would set out to know. DIMMESDALE DIMMESDALE (fearful but resigned) The way you look at me—sometimes Go now, Hester Prynne. I fear what you would hope to find. God's will be done. Forgive me. You have been a friend and your intentions have been kind. Hester departs with her daughter as the men stare after them. CHILLINGWORTH (putting on his cape and hat) The truth is all I wish to know. BLACKOUT I am a man of truth. The truth,

ⓟ & © 2017 Naxos Rights US, Inc. Page 9 of 20 LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35 www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.669034-35 says John, the truth shall set you free. There's nothing, nothing you need fear. My faith was strong. Was strong! Rest now. Let agitation end. I know it was. Then why Let fever fall away, and rest. am I so doubtful now, I have an errand to perform under this peaceful sky? across the town, and I will hope to see you in a happy mood The houses of the town when you have slept and I return. are sleeping secretly. Am I an evil man? (aside) Is this some sorcery? This is the fever of a guilty man with no suspicion of a doctor's plan He changes direction in his wandering, wringing his to penetrate his soul and know the truth— hands, his eyes darting between heaven and earth. As the evil hid as innocence and youth. he nears the scaffold, old Mistress Hibbons appears around the corner. She has a mad aspect, evidently a (to Dimmesdale) denizen of the night. Our founder, Winthrop, is on his deathbed now and I am called to tend him at this hour. MISTRESS HIBBONS He needs a higher physic than my own, Ah! a doctoring of soul. Rest now, rest now. DIMMESDALE Chillingworth departs, carrying his medical tools. Good Mistress Hibbons, Dimmesdale drifts into a feverish sleep. out so late and so alone.

DIMMESDALE (tossing in sleep) MISTRESS HIBBONS What is this medicine? Good Reverend Dimmesdale. What did you give to me? Good Mistress Hibbons. Why do I dream this way? Everyone is good. What did you say to me? What did you, what did you say? DIMMESDALE Ah! Have I offended you?

He jolts awake, tosses the blanket aside. MISTRESS HIBBONS You have offended Good. I must. I must go. I must go out of these confining rooms. DIMMESDALE I must dispel this gloom. I do not know your meaning.

Despair is sin MISTRESS HIBBONS (reading him) and I must live You do not know yourself. to re-devote myself to God. DIMMESDALE I pray you, let me pass. My guilt will rend me from myself and worse—I'm torn from Thee. MISTRESS HIBBONS I cannot hear Thy voice! I see a secret in your eyes. A secret bars you from yourself. He walks out of the light of his room and finds himself in You hide. the dim but broader light of the street. It is the green of Scene One—the scaffold and balcony visible in a ghostly DIMMESDALE way. There is a desperateness in his pacing. Please let me pass.

My friend. My friend must know MISTRESS HIBBONS I am not who I seem. From where to where on this good night? I live a secret life, These are not solving stars. a man who walks a dream. These steps do not forgive.

Now she taunts him with a witch's song: Our nights, our nights— they were more secret than the wood Who do you think you are? and softer than the greenest fern. You hide behind the cloth. You hide behind the book. Her skin, her skin— You cannot travel far how could it be the evil touch beyond your Master's wrath the elders taught me to avoid? or leering harlot's look. Our love, our love— The hart walks in the wood, she stood before me, innocent the antler and the branch as Eve, stepping free of her dress, disguising what we see. The quail, the breath of wind, and I, a fool, all stirrings of this land, left her to take the punishment remain a mystery. that should have been ours to share.

In rituals at night The child, the child. a dancing witch's fire I loved her and I left her there casts shadows on the boughs. as if my love of God were all. The Devil seeks a mate to join him in the mire, I was afraid. his miserable spouse. I worshipped the community. I worshipped what they thought of me. Out where the spirit flees, where imps and demons crawl Depravity! over the forest floor, Worship of images, of days no pilgrim can find peace, that are ephemeral as flies! a wretched caterwaul his curse forevermore. Yet she was young and came to me in loneliness Come to the Devil's fire. and I, a man, did not resist. Dance in the flames of flesh where you and your lover tryst. Oh God, oh God, Who do you think you are? the heavens seem indifferent I see you have been kissed. to all our suffering here on Earth. You hide your dark desire but who says the owl I am a man, and who says I— a single life beneath these stars, just who do you think you are? a beggar on an empty road.

Throughout her song Dimmesdale has made gestures of As he begins to regain his dignity. denial, all futile. At the end Mistress Hibbons leaves him alone on his knees in the street beneath the scaffold. Where am I now? Ah yes, the square, the scaffold where she stood erect DIMMESDALE (in agony) and beautiful to every stare, Who, who, who do I think I am? beyond my power to protect. What have I been? How have I lived? I was a coward, then as now. If God is love—but God is not love. Why do I fear confession so If God is good—but God is beyond mere human good. when even scripture will allow Oh God, if you can hear, all men must reap the sin they sow. those who cannot hear Thee, save me! Save me! He feels great pain in his chest, places his hand over his heart. A bell tolls in the distance. Dimmesdale acts as if Slowly he stands, singing a reverie of Hester Prynne. it tolls for him alone. After a moment, Roger

Chillingworth appears, on his way home from Governor few minutes we see the girl playing apart from the Winthrop's house. central action of the scene.

CHILLINGWORTH CHILLINGWORTH My friend, you do not sleep. You look at me with hatred in your eyes. I've come from Winthrop's deathbed— a face more peaceful, far, than yours. HESTER Pity for a man so changed. DIMMESDALE (ill) You are become a monster, I cannot sleep. I cannot sleep. deformed by your desire to ruin someone else. CHILLINGWORTH The wisdom I once saw in you The potion that I gave to you? has withered like a rotting vine.

DIMMESDALE CHILLINGWORTH I cannot sleep. I have such pains. I know his name.

CHILLINGWORTH HESTER The night air cannot do you good. What of the name? Come home with me and rest. Your heart These many years must need unburdening. you've lived in an abyss of names DIMMESDALE But I have sinned, and I must work. CHILLINGWORTH There must be some work I can do. For justice. Beyond the town are Indians who need a Christian minister. HESTER Tomorrow I will go to them. Justice!

CHILLINGWORTH (again ominously) CHILLINGWORTH But first, my friend, I'll minister I shall reveal the man to you. Come home and rest. Come home. who put this letter on your heart.

Dimmesdale, drained and weakened, is led offstage by HESTER the older and stronger man. I put the letter here myself.

BLACKOUT CHILLINGWORTH Not so. The man you would protect CD 2 pretends to innocence. One word. One word from me Act Two and he would fall from his almighty pulpit [1] Scene One into the wretched prison cell, then rise up to the gallows. Daylight. The dappled light of the forest on the edge of town. Hester and Pearl, the latter in her red dress, are HESTER (steeling herself) walking away from town, into the woods. Chillingworth Have you not tortured him enough? intercepts them. I'll warn him, tell him who you truly are. CHILLINGWORTH Why do you walk so quickly, Hester Prynne? CHILLINGWORTH Will you consent to speak? And break your promise to me?

Slowly Hester acknowledges that she cannot avoid this HESTER meeting. She sends Pearl off to play. During the next You may call it justice.

CHILLINGWORTH (controlling his rage) But now, my love, Nothing will help you now. now is a time to play. Nothing is left for me but hate. Run and catch the sun before the coming fall. HESTER You cannot change the past. Pearl sees something that delights her and chases it offstage, leaping back across the stream as she goes. CHILLINGWORTH (with a gesture after Pearl) Nor you. This canopy of trees Hester, now be warned, once sheltered us in love. as you have scorned my love, Why must we suffer here? your paramour will fall. What must we prove?

Chillingworth departs, enraged, toward the town. For a Dimmesdale enters, returning toward the town. He holds moment Hester is alone. a hand over his heart, pausing as if to catch his breath. He and Hester notice each other at the same time. HESTER How was it I once loved DIMMESDALE a man so full of hate? Hester. Hester Prynne. Sometimes I fear I'll burn to death of it. HESTER But I feel only sorrow. Reverend Dimmesdale.

This canopy of trees, DIMMESDALE these spots of sunlight on the earth, I dreamed I would find you here. the light and shadow of our life— sorrow, only sorrow. HESTER And I you. I've heard our minister went out before the dawn DIMMESDALE and may return along this path. I've come from work among the heathen. Oh may it be the end of sorrow. HESTER Ah. And did they minister to you? Pearl approaches, having fashioned a letter A out of grass. She shows it to her mother. DIMMESDALE No one can help me now. My love, what have you made? A toy of justice. HESTER And do you know, my love, I would. Dear friend, I would. why your mother wears this letter on her breast? They have moved slowly closer to each other, warily, keeping on the same side of the brook, each almost Pearl nods, then skips about, playing. Hester walks with disbelieving the other's bodily existence. her, and they cross a stream about mid-stage, at an angle to the audience. DIMMESDALE Hester. Have you found peace? The man you saw me speaking to believes he knows the answer. HESTER Our minister is seen to touch Have you? the same place on his heart. DIMMESDALE Just so. None. The judgment of the world descends.

HESTER Surely your ministry? DIMMESDALE Surely the love of the town, Hester, what is your meaning? the work you do for good? HESTER DIMMESDALE Look at the forest canopy, A lie. You alone know who I am, the stream beside us here. and all these years you would not speak my name, What are the boundaries of the world? you who bear so openly our sin. Where is the law of men?

HESTER DIMMESDALE I too have kept an awful secret. There is a law. There is one law. That man, that hateful man, the doctor, Roger Chillingworth— HESTER long years ago in England he But where? Show me was not the man he is today. where is the world of that one law? He bore another name. These trees? These portions of the sky? He was my husband. Dear friend, we are outside the town, outside the laws of men. Dimmesdale, stunned, slowly takes it in. Into the wilderness I was so young. the spirit goes. I did not understand. No one can stop it being free. Long have I thought of this, DIMMESDALE but seeing you now, I see. I should have known by the way he speaks to me! Dimmesdale rises, filled with encouragement by Hester's words. HESTER And when I feared him lost at sea, The judgment of the world, you were my minister the walls of yonder town, and you did comfort me. . . the rage of Chillingworth— cast off this pall and live. DIMMESDALE Arthur, you can change These years old Chillingworth has been my friend. your name, your town, your life. You can be someone new. HESTER No friend. No friend. DIMMESDALE His motive is revenge. And Hester, so might you?

DIMMESDALE HESTER As much as I deserve. Why do we live this life I am a ruined man. as the elders tell us to live? Resolve me, Hester. Where is our freedom now Think for me. under these ancient trees? Tell me what to do. How far does the forest go? Where do the mountains end? He has fallen to his knees before her, bowing his head in utter shame. DUET: The past is gone. HESTER We shall know joy again. And is the world so narrow? As we loved once, under this canopy, The borders of the town— we shall know love again. are they the world? Our bed the earth, The mind—is it a wall our blanket sky between us and our life?

ⓟ & © 2017 Naxos Rights US, Inc. Page 14 of 20 LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35 www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.669034-35 our Eden here. between us now. The past is gone. Come to your father. Come.

Hester removes her hat and shakes free her hair. She Pearl shakes her head. She has noticed the letter unclasps the letter at her heart. As she removes it and missing from her mother's breast and points at the casts it aside, Dimmesdale touches her heart. vacancy.

Our Eden here is love. HESTER Throw off the stain of sin. The letter. This is our freedom now, under these ancient trees, DIMMESDALE clear as the flowing stream 'Tis nothing, girl. crossing the forest floor. Come to your father. Come. There are no borders here, no secrets left to hold, HESTER Where did I drop the letter? nothing to lie about. Our Eden here is love. DIMMESDALE Our Eden here is love. Why does it matter now? Our only law is love. They embrace and kiss. Then Dimmesdale notices Pearl approaching from behind Hester, on the other side of the HESTER stream. The girl has decked herself with wildflowers I must find the letter. gathered in the woods. She pauses on the opposite No one must know we have renewed our love. bank of the stream. Only beyond the town can we be free.

DIMMESDALE Hester finds the letter and fastens it again to her breast. The child. She turns to Pearl and sings reproachfully.

HESTER Now do you know your mother, child? My love? Now do you know me?

DIMMESDALE Pearl leaps across the brook, dashes past Dimmesdale Our child. and into her mother's arms. The minister, chastened by this turn of events, looks on. HESTER (leaving the embrace) Our Pearl beyond all price. DIMMESDALE She has her mother now. DIMMESDALE Does she know her father? HESTER Also her father. HESTER She will. And she will love you as I do. DIMMESDALE So I would hope to be. But how? Dimmesdale steps toward the stream. He and Pearl face each other across the boundary of water. Hester lets Pearl run off again. Pearl stays by the stream, casting her gathered flowers on the water. DIMMESDALE She is so beautiful, HESTER (firming a plan) an elvish spirit of the forest. There is a ship in Boston harbor bound for far away, To Pearl: and we could book our passage, love, after Election Day. Child, I hold my hand to you. Why do you not cross the stream? DIMMESDALE Nothing should be a boundary I've met the Captain on the street,

ⓟ & © 2017 Naxos Rights US, Inc. Page 15 of 20 LAITMAN, L.: Scarlet Letter (The) [Opera] 8.669034-35 www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.669034-35 given a sailor's prayer. am darkening like the sky He's bound for far away, my love. above these trees. We'll find our freedom there. Who do I think I am? DUET: Have I forsaken God? The pattern and the mystery How can I face the town? brought us together here. Who, says the owl. Who? We shall abandon history, live where the weather's fair. He paces, increasingly anxious, looking offstage where Hester has gone. Under the forest canopy we shall discover now Hester, I am not strong like you. out in the world we can be free. Hester, I'll not live long like you. This is our perfect vow. Shall I create a life with you? Free of the prying eyes with you? HESTER Sail with you far away, my love, The past is gone. under the perfect sky above?

DIMMESDALE He raises his eyes to the canopy of trees. The future's ours. Hester. Hester Prynne. HESTER Can we be free of sin? There is a ship. BLACKOUT DIMMESDALE Election Day. [2] Scene Two

HESTER In the darkness between the final two scenes we can Prepare, my love. hear the chorus chanting:

DIMMESDALE One law for the fallen world. Prepare and pray. One law for eternity. One law for the woman's child. HESTER One law, our community. I'll pray for us. Save us from the Evil One. DIMMESDALE Give us Thy blessed Son. I'll pray for us. Save us, save us!

HESTER One law, our community. Farewell. One law, our community.

DIMMESDALE One law. One law. One law. One. Farewell. Lights rise on the street as we saw it at the beginning of They kiss. Pearl runs to her mother, and they exit toward the opera: meeting house, scaffold, jail, all decorated for the town, hand in hand. Election Day. The crowd is gathering: farmers, fishermen, sailors, goodwives, a few Indians. Farewell. Strike up the march. Let music play. Dimmesdale watches them go, then suddenly feels a Election Day! Election Day! pain in his chest and places his hand there. He nods, as if recognizing an old truth. FARMER Today the people have a say. My happiness departs. The stream runs clear, but I

CHORUS who met you in the wood? Election Day! Election Day! SHIPMASTER SAILOR We'll take the tide and sail From houses crowding to the bay, before the week is out.

GOODWIFE 1 MISTRESS HIBBONS From forests dark as ebony, A woman knows the world, the secrets of the wood, GOODWIFE 2 and you cannot escape. The people come to work and pray. I know you are not good.

GOODWIFE 3 HESTER We worship in community. Madame, you mistake me.

CHORUS SHIPMASTER Election Day! Election Day! We'll take the tide and sail.

At one fringe of the crowd we have noticed old MISTRESS HIBBONS Chillingworth conferring with a Shipmaster, their I see you've brought your girl. conversation apparently full of dark plotting. At another end Hester and Pearl have arrived. Hester's plain dress To Pearl: is adorned with the scarlet letter. Pearl wears her brighter, bolder attire. Hester is watching the crowd, Thou art the lineage evidently looking for Dimmesdale. Instead, the of the Prince of the Air! Shipmaster, released from Chillingworth, accosts her. Wilt thou fly with me some night to meet the minister? SHIPMASTER A word, a word! Pearl looks desperately at her mother, who fends off the old woman. Just at that moment a drum roll sounds the HESTER start of the parade. Mistress Hibbons, startled, melts into You have a berth for us? the crowd, later to leave the stage altogether. From behind the meeting house a procession emerges to SHIPMASTER music that sounds both martial and religious. Flags and Madam, I do. For you, your child, banners wave. At the head of the procession are and the gentleman you mentioned. Dimmesdale, looking pale and profoundly distracted, Wilson and Bellingham. HESTER We're bound away from here. SHIPMASTER (departing) We sail within the week. SHIPMASTER That is the wish of others, too. Chillingworth has fallen in behind the leaders with a kind The old man, Chillingworth, has asked of eager piety masking his dark intent. Most of the crowd if he might sail with us, and I joins the parade as it progresses. A few, like Hester and have offered him a berth near yours. Pearl, remain as bystanders. The march circles the stage, passing the scaffold, crossing to the meeting Before Hester can react, Mistress Hibbons emerges house steps, which the three dignitaries mount as the from the crowd. Now Hester's attention is distracted from chorus sings. two sides at once. CHORUS HESTER Strike up the march. Let the music play. This cannot be! Today the people have their say. Bless, O Lord, Election Day, MISTRESS HIBBONS and all of us who work and pray. Who do you look for? Who? Election Day! Election Day! Is it the minister

God names His own elect to stay. has always helped us to endure. We have a voice, who work and pray. In freedom know we are not free It is our Lord who offers grace unless our pilgrim hearts be pure. and not the humble human race. We have a voice, who work and pray. In the last verse his mind begins to reel at what he is Election Day! Election Day! saying.

BELLINGHAM (calling for order) CHORUS Hear ye, hear ye, one and all, Community! Community to mark our celebration now has always helped us to endure. acknowledging our God, we bow In freedom know we are not free our heads before this meeting hall. unless our pilgrim hearts be pure.

WILSON (praying) DIMMESDALE Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest, This still small voice, the wilderness vouchsafe within our hearts to rest; around us darkened by our terror— come with Thy grace and heavenly aid, come Holy Ghost, Creator blest and fill the hearts which Thou hast made. and guide us out of sin and error.

ALL CHORUS Amen. In freedom know we are not free unless our pilgrim hearts be pure. BELLINGHAM (indicating Dimmesdale) Our hearts are filled, and now we pause As the chorus continues, the dignitaries descend from to listen to our shepherd here the meeting house balcony to the street, rejoining the who knows his flock and knows the laws procession. that bind us in this earthly sphere. It is our God who offers grace Dimmesdale has been standing with head bowed, a and not the humble human race. hand over his heart. He now lifts his head slowly, looks We have a choice. We work and pray. over the crowd below, unable to see Hester and Pearl. Election Day. Election Day. When he begins his sermon it is slowly, hesitantly, then gaining in strength, making his last vital gestures. One law for the forest dark. One law for the sea we crossed. DIMMESDALE One law for the savage heart. Dear friends. Dear brethren gathered here One law for the saved, the lost. on this our proud Election Day our settlement has cause to cheer, As he descends the steps, Dimmesdale has been and I have only this to say: looking into the crowd. His physical weakness is now so apparent that Wilson offers him support. Suddenly The forest far beyond our farms before the scaffold steps the crowd parts, revealing now echoes with our industry. Hester, who holds Pearl by the hand. Dimmesdale Risking a plenitude of harms, pauses, seeing this, then reaches out toward them. our fishermen patrol the sea, DIMMESDALE but what are we? Yea, who are we Hester. Hester! who toil and pray and clear the land? We are the Lord's community, The crowd has silenced, focusing only on this small His grace delivered at His hand. family facing each other in public before the scaffold steps. Free in our choices, honor bound to turn the Devil off the path, Come hither, Pearl. we consecrate our bit of ground You are my Pearl beyond all price. and bow our heads before the Truth.

Community! Community

Roger Chillingworth, who has stood by in the crowd, HESTER pushes forward, taking Dimmesdale by the arm and I know not, Arthur. I know not. forcing him away. DIMMESDALE CHILLINGWORTH For you and Pearl, the truth at last, Wave back that woman! and pray that God is merciful. Cast off this child Hester, I am a dying man. and do not blacken I should make haste to meet the truth. your name with dishonor. Dimmesdale turns to face the crowd. DIMMESDALE Tempter. Tempter! Ye people of New England, hear! Thou art the Devil, At last I stand upon the spot but with God's help I should have taken years ago. I shall escape you. I should have stood beside this woman. She is no Pharisee. She makes Turning to Hester and Pearl. no false display of piety, but bears the letter of our sin, Hester. Hester Prynne. our common sin, without complaint. Give me your strength. Let it be guided by God. You judged her and I let you judge, Let us join hands and I stood by among you there, and banish the lie. as much a sinner, a secret man, Come, Hester, come! equal in infamy, afraid Give me your arm. of what community would say.

CHILLINGWORTH He steps forward. Wave back that woman. She is the Devil's mate. God saw the letter on her heart Witness the letter and saw. . . He saw the sin in me. she bears on her breast! The Devil plied his wicked power, leaving me afraid. No more! DIMMESDALE (to Hester) Behold. Behold! Give me your arm. Dimmesdale tears open his robe and tunic, revealing a Hester helps Dimmesdale as he mounts the scaffold. scarlet letter A as if branded upon his chest. No sooner Pearl joins them, taking her father's other arm. has he displayed the mark to the astonished crowd than he collapses on the scaffold. Hester and Pearl come to CHILLINGWORTH his aid. What is this foolishness? You think it bravery? CHILLINGWORTH Now you would spit in the face You have escaped me. of your truest friend? You have escaped me! What is my wrath to you now? No spot on this earth DIMMESDALE would be safe from my spite May God forgive you, except for this scaffold. and may you learn the ways you too have sinned. Atop the scaffold, Dimmesdale looks Hester in the eye. They have in this brief moment, despite the awestruck CHILLINGWORTH crowd below them, a space of intimacy. You have escaped me.

DIMMESDALE (weakly) Dimmesdale's eyes are now fixed on his family. Hester Is this not better, Hester Prynne, holds his head on her lap. than our dreams in the forest? DIMMESDALE (weakening)

My Pearl, you see your father before you. This is no forest dream, but will you kiss me now?

Pearl kisses her father and begins to weep.

Hester. Hester Prynne.

HESTER My love, shall we not have immortal life? Have we not suffered enough?

DIMMESDALE I bear the mark. It is God's will. We have the truth. Praised be His name. And now, perhaps, the peace that passeth understanding…

Dimmesdale dies. Hester wails and bows her head over his body. In the crowd below everyone bows heads except Chillingworth, who stands apart in his impotent rage. For the remainder of the opera we seem to move into abstracted space—a dream time in which the whole of history can be glimpsed.

CHORUS Let days accumulate like trees, the driven rain, the darkening wood. As summer blows across the sea we strive to comprehend the good.

Time is vaster than the earth. Time is larger than our law. Time before all human birth and all we have no image for.

Now as the light grows dim we hear the heartbeat of another year. All honor to the story told. We understand as we grow old only the mystery we hold.

Only the mystery.

BLACKOUT