The prodigal son: the libretto
no. 1 - Chorus
Choir: In this life we cannot do great things: we can only do small things with great love. [Mother Theresa of Calcutta]
Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [1 Corinthians, 13:7]
Recitative
Evangelist (counter-tenor): A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father,
The younger son (high baritone): Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
Evangelist: And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And when he came to himself, he said,
The younger son: How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him,
no. 2 - Aria
The younger son: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. And am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Choir: O my God, I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. [Gibbons, Act of contrition, 1884]
Recitative
Evangelist: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The father (bass): Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.
no. 3 - Chorus
Choir: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! [Ordinary of the Mass]
Recitative
Evangelist: Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
The father: Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad:
no. 4 - Aria
The father: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
no. 5 - Chorus
Choir: Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. [Post-communion prayer, Book of Common Prayer]
Notes:
1. Except where indicated, the text is taken from Luke 15:11-32 (slightly abridged).
2. The divisions between numbers are, as indicated in previous posts, a little arbitrary; a degree of overlap is anticipated.
3. Changes may yet be made at the discretion of the composer ...
Choir: In this life we cannot do great things: we can only do small things with great love. [Mother Theresa of Calcutta]
Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [1 Corinthians, 13:7]
Recitative
Evangelist (counter-tenor): A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father,
The younger son (high baritone): Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
Evangelist: And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And when he came to himself, he said,
The younger son: How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him,
no. 2 - Aria
The younger son: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. And am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Choir: O my God, I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. [Gibbons, Act of contrition, 1884]
Recitative
Evangelist: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The father (bass): Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.
no. 3 - Chorus
Choir: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! [Ordinary of the Mass]
Recitative
Evangelist: Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
The father: Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad:
no. 4 - Aria
The father: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
no. 5 - Chorus
Choir: Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. [Post-communion prayer, Book of Common Prayer]
Notes:
1. Except where indicated, the text is taken from Luke 15:11-32 (slightly abridged).
2. The divisions between numbers are, as indicated in previous posts, a little arbitrary; a degree of overlap is anticipated.
3. Changes may yet be made at the discretion of the composer ...
posted by Anthony at
00:28
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