Scene 1: Day One

Rehearsal at School: A musician from the orchestra is inspired by the music of Handel to create a play about him. Thomas appears, a boy who sings but does not speak. The Choir bursts onto the stage, followed shortly by the colourful Mme Cuzzoni. They sing together.

Scene 2: The Ball

Mms Cuzzoni takes Thomas to a dazzling London ball to show the plight of London’s poor children. They dance a minuet and sing a famous song, “Lascia” (Give Me My Freedom)

Scene 3: Day Two

At the School: Handel dramatizes a harpsichord piece, “The Harmonious Blacksmith.”

Scene 4: The Opera Rehearsal

A comic scene in which Mme Cuzzoni complains about the number of notes she has been given in the opera.

Scene 5: The Graveyard

Thomas has run off. Handel finds him in the graveyard behind the Foundling School, remembering his mother who was a singer. The Choir sings “O Lovely Peace.”

Scene 6: The Opera

Heralded by the bright orchestral piece, “The Queen of Sheba” Mme Cuzzoni sings the part of Cleopatra in Handel’s opera, “Julius Caesar.”

Scene 7: The Walk Home

To the strains of the famous Water Music Air, Handel walks Thomas back home along the Thames River.

Scene 8: Day Three

The Messiah Rehearsal: Mme Cuzzoni is having trouble with the English words to “The Messiah.” Handel paints the shepherd scene, joined by the Choir in “Glory to God.”

Scene 9: The Search

Thomas has run off. Handel and Mme Cuzzoni search the back lanes of Gin Lane. They find him singing to his mother in the empty opera theatre. The choir joins him.

Scene 10: The Conclusion

To welcome Thomas home, the Choir sings “He Shall Feed His Flock” from “The Messiah.” The musicians lead the audience in singing the “Hallelujah Chorus.

Hallelujah Handel is a theatrical presentation designed to introduce children to the life and music of George Frideric Handel. In this production, an orchestra, choir, boy soloist and two performers are brought together on stage in celebration of Handel’s music.

A production script and music excerpt rehearsal CD, as well as choir director and chorister books, will be provided well in advance for rehearsal purposes. A Conductor’s Book, complete with full-score, cues and incorporated script, along with all individual musician parts, will be sent approximately 1 month in advance of the concert.

Suggested instrumentation is:
String Count 4.4.3.2.1
2.2.0.1-2.2.0.0-tmp-hpd-str

In addition to providing conductor and orchestra, presenter shall be responsible for the following requirements necessary to mount this theatrical symphony concert production:

Director

Presenter will provide a director to facilitate the casting, directing and staging of two actors and the coordination of a choir, boy soloist, and orchestra.

Stage Manager

Presenter will provide a stage manager to assist the director in the above duties as well as technical coordination with venue’s staff and crew.

Actors

Presenter will provide two professional actors to play the roles of Maestro Handel and Madam Cuzzoni (must be a classically-trained Soprano). A boy soloist will be chosen from within the choir to play the role of Thomas.

Production Elements

Presenter will provide all necessary production elements (costumes, props, lighting, and sound) as the story and director may require.

Choir

Presenter will provide either a mixed children’s choir (SSA) or a girls’ choir. The Choirmaster is to rehearse the Choir in advance. (If using a girls’ choir, it would be best if a boy was included to play the role of Thomas.) The Choir will perform the following excerpts:

Cue 4: Approximately 15 bars of “For Unto Us”
Cue 5: Duet, Thomas and Mme. Cuzoni, from “Verdi Prati”
Cue 9: Duet, Thomas and Mme. Cuzoni, from the second verse of “Lascia”
Cue 12: Excerpt from “O Lovely Peace”
Cue 18: “See the Conqu’ring Hero Comes”
Cue 19: Bar 26 to end of “Glory to God”
Cue 21: Approximately 8 bars of “Piangerò”
Cue 23: Excerpt from “He Shall Feed His Flock”
Cue 24: Bars 1-19 and 91 to end of “Hallelujah”