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The Carpenter’s Gift An Opera in 3 Scenes

By Karl Koenig

Characters: Rev. Mother, Father Sebastian, Indian Woman, Sister Mary Louise, The Carpenter, Manuel History of staircase - 2 Story of Action - 3 Overture - page 4 Scene I Song 1 – Children’s Hymn (Mexican rhythm) - 5 Recitative - 6 Song 2 – Thanks – Rev. Mother - 7 Recitative - 8 Song 3 – Labor – the Carpenter - 9 Recitative - 11 Song 4 – Folk Song - 13 Scene II Song 5 – Lullaby, Lament, Prayer (the together as trio) – 14, 16, 17 Song 6 – Wake Up – Father Sebastian - 19 Recitative - 21 Song 7 – Ave Maria – Rev. Mother - 23 Song 8 – Kyrie – choir - 23 Recitative - 24 Song 9 – Instrument of Thy peace – Father Sebastian - 27 Scene III Recitative - 28 Song 10 – With His Hands – Manuel – 30 Song 12 – St Joseph – Fugue - 32

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Orchestra – organ, 2 percussion, 3 woodwind, strings, brass

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The Story of the Action

The Opera opens with the children’s choir rehearing for Easter services. Rev. Mother comes into the chapel and reflects on the beauty of the chapel and contemplates on the fact that there is no way to ascend to the choir loft. She sings the first aria ‘Thanks’ in which she thanks good for all the good he has given her. As she contemplates, Sister Mary Louise enters the chapel and tells her that another carpenter is asking for work. Rev. Mother relates how hopeless it is to build a staircase and she cannot see him as she has to leave for the Indian village to help the missionaries with the cholera epidemic. While she relates this the carpenter is heard singing an aria ‘Labor’. The action then returns to the chapel. Rev. Mother is leaving and tells Manuel (a young Indian boy who is both dumb and lame) to get her bags for her trip. As she leaves the choir is heard sing an Easter folk song in a Latin rhythm. Scene II opens in the Santa Domingo Pueblo where we hear three Indian mothers – each singing a short aria. The first a lullaby, the second a lament and the third a prayer to a new born infant. (Birth, life and death theme). These three arias are then heard together. The day comes to an end as darkness comes. Dawn comes and Father Sabastian is heard singing the aria ‘Wake Up.’ Rev. Mother is seen helping the Indians. She has been there for two weeks. Rev. Mother approaches Father Sebastian and speaks to him about the chapel and the dedication. She still is concerned about the choir loft. Father Sabastian tolls her ‘Have faith, the Lord will find a way’. Mass begins as the choir sing the Kyrie. During the Mass Rev, Mother sings the aria ‘Ave Maria’. At the end of Mass a letter is received from sister m\Mary Louise telling of how the new carpenter is fixing things in the new chapel. This upsets Rev Mother and she decides to leave the next morning to return to the school. As scene two ends, Father Sebastian is heard sing his prayers. Scene II - Rev. Mother and Father Sebastian are seen arriving. They are met by Sister Mary Louise who is very excited. She brings them into the chapel and they see the staircase. When Rev. Mother asks who the carpenter was, Manuel, who had been praying, talks and walks for the first time. He sings ‘With these hands’ an aria that gives the name of the carpenter as St. Joseph. The three main characters begin singing a Fugue praising the carpenter. The Opera ends with the cast all singing the Fugue.

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Overture

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Children’s choir – Mexican rhythm

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Choir singing as Rev. Mother is leaving:

Baptized by the one sent ahead, light eternal heavenly led. 2nd verse: In the desert to gods delight, there he fasted both day and night. Devil tempted, bade him give in, Jesus never weakened to sin. 3rd verse: Judas traitor, god he betrayed. Pilate would not judge him that day. Crucify him he is o king our salvation Jesus will bring. 4th verse: Down to hell descending they say, rose again, on the third day. Up to Heaven he did arise, seated at the right hand of God.

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Scene II Indian Village

Trio; Lullaby, Lament & Prayer

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Messenger: A letter from the school, Reverend Mother.

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Choir: Fugue to St. Joseph

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The END

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