Benedict Sheehan A Christmas Carol
for narrator, SATB soloists, and SATB choir unaccompanied, with optional bones In this compelling work for narrator, soloists, and choir, Sheehan presents an engaging musical dramatization of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Dickens's text has been artfully abridged by Matthew Guard to facilitate concert performance, and the narration is seamlessly woven into Sheehan's richly diverse score. Suited to performance in a variety of settings, this work sees imaginative arrangements of traditional carols and vibrant and accessible original music combine to bring a familiar festive tale to life.
for narrator, SATB soloists, and SATB choir unaccompanied, with optional bones
In this compelling work for narrator, soloists, and choir, Sheehan presents an engaging musical dramatization of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Dickens's text has been artfully abridged by Matthew Guard to facilitate concert performance, and the narration is seamlessly woven into Sheehan's richly diverse score. Suited to performance in a variety of settings, this work sees imaginative arrangements of traditional carols and vibrant and accessible original music combine to bring a familiar festive tale to life.
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22<br />
6. Mankind was my Business<br />
Edmund Sears (1810–76)<br />
BENEDICT SHEEHAN<br />
STAVE 1, Scene 4<br />
“How now!” said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever. “What do you want with me? Who are you?” “In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.” “You don’t<br />
believe in me,” observed the Ghost. “I don’t,” said Scrooge.<br />
[CHOIR BEGINS] At this the spirit raised a frightful cry, and shook its chain with such a dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge<br />
fell upon his knees, and clasped his hands before his face.<br />
SOPRANO<br />
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TENOR<br />
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for online perusal only<br />
7<br />
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[CORO TACET] “Do you believe in me or not?” “I do,” said Scrooge. “I must.” “You are fettered,” said Scrooge, trembling. “Tell me why?”<br />
[CHOIR BEGINS] “I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard. Would you know the weight<br />
and length of the strong coil you bear yourself? It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven <strong>Christmas</strong> Eves ago. You have laboured on it, since.<br />
lips barely open<br />
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It is a ponderous chain!” “Jacob,” he said, “Speak comfort to me, Jacob!” “I have none to give,” the Ghost replied.<br />
[WITH TENOR] “It comes from other regions, Ebenezer Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers, to other kinds of men. A very little is<br />
permitted to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere.” “But you were always a good man of business, Jacob!” faltered Scrooge.<br />
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