Libretto: Text from the Gospel according to St. Luke Synopsis: A Musical Drama in 7 Scenes. An ideal work for those wishing to present a staged (or semi-staged) musical work at Christmas time. It is easy to perform and provides many opportunities for both adults and children to participate as soloists or choir members or in non-singing roles. Suitable for performance in a church or theater. A stage guide is available. The story follows the biblical text, set in the Holy Land during the age of Augustus. It was written for the 200th Anniversary of the Dedication of Christ Church, Cambridge. Duration: ~ 1 Hour, 30 Minutes Roles: ZACHARIAS, a priest and Censer of the Temple Baritone THE ANGEL GABRIEL Tenor MARY Lyric Soprano ELISABETH, wife of Zacharias, cousin of Mary Contralto ANNA, a prophetess and aged widow Mezzo-Soprano FIRST PRIEST Baritone SECOND PRIEST Bass FOUR SHEPHERDS Boy Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Bass JOSEPH Silent SIMEON, a man of Jerusalem awaiting the consolation of Israel Baritone ACOLYTES To change scenes CHORUS OF THE FAITHFUL (Angels, Shepherds) The Choir Available Recordings: Koch International Classics, Cleveland Sinfonia Sacra and Frances Gress Burmeister Instrumentation Notes: 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 0 0 - 1 0 0 1 - Str Electronic media is the recorded church bells for change-ringing at end of Scene VII. .
