Kevin Puts
Silent Night
opera in two acts (2011)
© 2011 by UMP Classics & Screen (BMI)
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. RNY 1418/03
ISMN 979-0-073-00163-9
Version: 20 November 2024
Warning : Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited by Federal law, and subject to criminal prosecution.
Silent Night, based on the screenplay by Christian Carion for the motion picture Joyeux Noël produced by Nord-Ouest Production
Commissioned by Minnesota Opera
A Minnesota Opera New Works Initiative Production
Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Music
CAST
Anna Sørensen
Nikolaus Sprink
Lieutenant Audebert
Lieutenant Gordon
Lieutenant Horstmayer
Ponchel
Father Palmer
Jonathan Dale
General (Audebert)
Kronprinz
William Dale
Madeleine Audebert
British Major
German Military Offcial
German soldiers (13)
German offcers (doubles)
Scottish soldiers (9)
French soldiers (9)
Soprano
Tenor
Baritone
Baritone
Baritone
Baritone
Baritone
Tenor
Bass
Tenor
Baritone
Mezzo-soprano
Bass-baritone
Speaking role
Silent Night is based on a screenplay for Joyeux Noël by Christian Carion for the motion picture produced by Nord-Ouest Production © 2005 – Nord-Ouest Production – Senator Film Produktion – Joyeux Noël Ltd. – Artemis Productions –Media Pro Pictures – TF1 Films Production – Les Productions de la Guéville
This new edition was revised in 2023
Edited by Ash Mistry and Andrew Sparling Piano reduction by Seann Alderking
World premiere: November 12, 2011
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul Minnesota
CAST
Anna Sørensen
Nikolaus Sprink
Lieutenant Audebert
Lieutenant Gordon
Lieutenant Horstmayer
Ponchel
Father Palmer
Jonathan Dale
General (Audebert)
Kronprinz
William Dale
Madeleine Audebert
British Major
German Military Offcial
Karin Wolverton
William Burden
Liam Bonner
Gabriel Preisser
Craig Irvin
Andrew Wilkowske
Troy Cook
John Robert Lindsey
Ben Wager
A. J. Glueckert
Michael Nyby
Angela Mortellaro
Joseph Beutel
Ben Johnson
ENSEMBLE
Brad Benoit, Ben Crickenberger, Thomas Glass, Brian Haase, Richard Joseph, Jonathan Kimple, Chandler Molbert, Rodolfo Nieto, Daniel Weinstein
CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor
Stage Director
Set Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Projection Designer
Sound Designer
Wig and Makeup Designers
Assistant Director
Assistant Conductor
Fight Choreographer
Stage Manager
Translation Assistance
Michael Christie
Eric Simonson
Francis O’Connor
Kärin Kopischke
Marcus Dilliard
Andrzej Goulding
C. Andrew Mayer
Jason Allen & Ronell Oliveri
Octavio Cardenas
Clinton Smith
Doug Scholz-Carlson
Alexander Farino
Anne Renucci, Jens Schäfer, & Robert Scarcella Perino
CONTENTS
Silent
Act I
Act II
Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell dedicate the score and libretto of Silent Night to Dale Johnson, whose idea it was to turn the movie Joyeux Noël into an opera and who nurtured it every step of the way.
[Threeseparatescenes:thestageofaBerlinoperahouseinthemiddleofaperformance; asmallvillagechurchinScotland;andaroominanapartmentinParis. LightscomeuptheatricallyontheperformanceofanoperacomposedinthestyleofMozart. ANNAholdsupacandelabraandisinfullcostumeasan18thCenturyartistocrat.]
=ca.88)
[NIKOLAUSentersinfullsoldierregaliaastheheroreturnedfrombattle;aridiculous plumedhat,acape,andaswordathisside.HewatchesANNAadmiringly.]
-remdinuovo-insie - -me, Peruna - notte - sola. - Mai
-rem nuovo-insie - -me, Peruna - notte - sola. -
[AGERMANMILITARYOFFICIALhastrodonstageinuniformtowardtheendoftheduet andsignaledtotheconductortostoptheorchestra.ANNAandNIKOLAUSstopsinging. THEGERMANMILITARYOFFICIALunfoldsaletterandreadsitoutloud.]
GERMANMILITARYOFFICIAL(spokentoaudience): “Ichwurdebeauftragt,diesesSchreibenseinerMajestät, unseresgeliebtenKaiserWilhelm,zuverlesen.”
GERMANMILITARYOFFICIAL: (spokenabitself-consciously.) “DeutschlandgehtdurchschwereZeiten. Deutschlandwurdeangegriffenundwir habenkeineandereWahl,alsden AggressorendenKriegzuerklären.”
Grave,expressively(h=ca.72)
62 ppp
B.D. Timp.
“MitGottesHilfeunddemSchwert, daswirinunsererHandtragen,werden wirunsereEhreverteidigen. DerSiegwirdunsersein.”
pespr.
[Fromoffstage,themalechoruscanbeheard singingaGermanwarsong.
TheGERMANMILITARYOFFICIALexits.]
OFF-STAGECHORUSsings “DerSiegWirdUnser”(printedbelow)
[Asthesongoff-stagecontinues,ANNAandNIKOLAUS removesomepartoftheirtheatricalcostumetohelp indicatetheyarenolongerintheperformance. Theyholdeachothertightlyandfreeze.Lightsdown.]
[LightsuponastandingcandelabraandasmallstatueofSt.MichaelinavillagechurchinScotland. JONATHANpaintsthestatuewhilePALMERlooksonpaternally.]
Thenshouldn’t-youhavepainted-bothblue?
Buthis
eyesweregreen tostartwith.IthoughtIshouldcompro-mise. -
[WILLIAMentersbreathlessly, brandishingaflyerinhishand.]
Come mfexcitedly,asbefore on little-brother, - comesignupwithme. Asbefore,energetically(q=160)
[WILLIAMrunsoff.JONATHANlooksatPALMER forabriefsecond,thenfollowsWILLIAM. PALMERtriestosaysomethingtothem,butitis toolate.Fromoff-stage,themalechoruscanbe heardsingingaBritishwarsong.PALMERturns towardthealtarandprays.]
[Lightsdown,thenuponasmalltablewhereAUDEBERTandhispregnantwife MADELEINE,sitinsilence.]
-prendre? - Com withvenom -mentpeuxtu-mequitter? - Puis,nousquitter,-nous?Jetedé-
Ma mpconsoling -deleine! - Penses-
tu quejeveux partir? - Pensestu - quejeveuxvousa-
Aud.
dure-ra-quequelques-semaines. - Unmois, aupire.Unmois! Et 147
[Fromoff-stage,themalechoruscanbeheardsingingaFrenchwarsong. MADELEINEstandsandembracesAUDEBERT.Theykisspassionately.Lightsout.]
OFF-STAGECHORUSsings
“Nousnousbattons”printedbelow
Aud.
jeserai - deretour - pourt’embras - -ser, vousembras-ser -
[Lightsup.Thefivemenstandapartinthreegroups: 1)NIKOLAUS,2)PALMER,JONATHAN&WILLIAM,3)AUDEBERT. Theyfinishdonningtheiruniforms.Asthefivesing,thechorusofwarsongsrowsinintensity,drowningthemout.]
Jon. Wil. Pro frisoluto -misedMumIwouldwatch him and M 168 glo ry. punderJONATHAN Tothefront,
Jon. Wil. makesure nothing - happens.173 in -tobattle, - for theKing, forad-
Jon. Wil.
Jon.
Wil. Palm. noth ingwillever -
short war andwillend ina there. There’llbea need for Nik.
Jon.
188 harmhim. And (p
Wil. Palm. Die frisoluto -ser Krieg ist
ifGod has to few weeks. But (
I hope menlikeme. And punderNIKOLAUS Icanwatch
Nik.
Jon.
Wil. Palm.
sinnlos - und verrückt. - Ge193 choose which oneofus has to Isee action, - say “hello”over - ourlads. Hope they
Nik.
Wil. Palm. -heichnicht ist meine - Karrie
Jon.
Wil. Palm. re punderAUDEBERT - rui - -niert. Schonbald
I amchosen. - For I won’t
La frisoluto seuleraison - pourlaquelle - jepars, know how Ilovehim, and realways - say. THIS war isshort.
Nik.
Jon.
Aud.
Wil.
Palm.
Ger. Chor.
208 livewithout - him. And I c’est monpère. La seule -turn here ahero.ButIhavefound wars neverDer
werde - ich zurück - keh -ren undmit
Anna - sing en.
swear onmyhonor - nothing - will rai son! p - Laseule rai-
Andthey say it’sashort
Aud. Wil. Palm.
Scot. Chor.
Ger. Chor. Die -ser Krieg ist
Jon.
Aud. Wil.
Palm.
Scot.
Chor.
Chor. sinnlos - und verrückt.o 221 God has tochoose oneofus c’est (p) monpère. La few weeks... o There’ll (p) be aneed for pride!And see shenev erfalls! schenken! - MitdesTyran - nen - BlutDieErde
Ger.
Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor.
never - turnyourbackwhenyourcountry - calls! S 229 Pour fwithpatrioticzeal nospères, pour nos -für habt Kraft! Dafür - habtMut!Möge -
Scot. Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor. Hietoherside! Shield herwithpride!And 233
mères, pour notreair, pour nos Gott unslen -kendenSieg unsschenken!
Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor.
Nousnousbat-
Scot. Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Chor.
Chor.
Fr.
Chor.
Ger. Chor. backwhenyourcountry - calls! Hietoher 245 -toire, pour l'honneur, - pour la Kraft! Dafür - habtMut!Möge - Gott uns
Scot. Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor. side! Shield herwithpride!And seeshe 249 gloire, nousnousbattons! - Nousnousbatlen -kendenSieg unsschenken! - MitdesTy-
Scot.
Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor.
253 -tons! Pour fff nos pères, -ran nen - BlutDieEr de - trän
nev er - falls! Nev fff -erturn your
Scot. Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor. backOn theUnion - Jack, boys!No, 256 pour nosmères, pour notre -ken! Der fff Sieg istun ser!
Chor. Fr. Chor. Ger. Chor. ne -verturnyourback whenyourcountry259 air, pour nosterres, -für habt Kraft! Dafür - habt
Chor. calls! Hieto herside!
Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor.
Shield herwithpride! And see she
-tons! Pour la jus ti - ce Sieg unsschen ken! - MitdesTy(f) pp
[Thesoundofabombintheaircomesforwardand explodesviolentlyonstage.Blackout.EndPrologue.]
Scot. Chor. Fr. Chor.
Chor.
[Thebattle.Bombs,blasts,andmachinegunsaredeafeningandrelentlessandminglewiththescreams ofmenfallenandcommandstofight.TheFrenchandScottishsoldiersattempt—andfail—attheirattack ontheGermanbunker.Duringthebattle,NIKOLAUSisseenviolentlyengagedincombat,stabbingaman todeathanddespairingabouttheviolence.]
[WILLIAMrunsacrossno-man’slandandisshot.JONATHANfollowsbehindhim andtriestocarryhimacrossthefieldtosafety.]
Wil. goonahead. - Oneofushastogetthroughthis. [JONATHAN hesitates.]
Wil. [Withallthestrengthhecanmuster.] IsaidGO!
[WILLIAMgoeslimp.JONATHANrunsbacktotheScottishbunker. Thebattlediesdown.Smokeclearsawaytorevealbloodied corpsesstrewnacrossno-man’sland.EndScene1.]
[TheScottishbunker,laterthatevening,followingthebattle.Mensitandlieabout,tendingtowounds, broken,exhausted.LIEUTENANTGORDONsurveysthedamagetohisplatoonwithanothersoldier.] pppsempre Bleak,desolate,veryslow(h=48–52)
bad.We’llrequest-rein-force-ments - after-Christmas. -
Yes parlando,crisply sirLieuten-ant.[Theyexit.PALMERleadsonalimpingsoldierandsits himdown.HeseesJONATHAN,alone,intears.]
Jon.
Palm. coward. - Like fsuddenlywithrage acoward! - Lefthimouttheretodie inthe
You femphatically hadnochoice. Youmustn’t -
Jon. Palm. mud.Myownkin! Idon’tcare about-the
blameyourself. - Wemustprayforhimandtheothers. -
togive,andnottocountthecost, toght,and
Jon. Palm. [JONATHANdoesnotrepeatthis prayer.Hesuddenlyshouts.]
ffwithrage willkill
[TheFrenchbunker.Menlieabouttraumatized,exhausted,tendingtowounds. AUDEBERTenterswithaFRENCHSOLDIER.]
Bleak,desolate(asbefore) (h=48–52) 462 pp ø Aud.
Douze... pwithgrimdiligence quatorze. - Etdouzeblessés-graves.
Àvosordres.-MonLieute-nant.[AUDEBERTretreatsintoanareathatishis “office”inthebunker.Heissurprisedtoseea GENERALwaitingforhim.] 4 2 4 2 4 2
Com psolemn -bien?
plusderenforts. -
Ilnousfautdeman-der -
-du untiersdemeshommes! Lesmitrail - -leurs...
[abruptlychanging thesubject]
Mer [Asiftomakehimleave.] -ci.
être - chezsesparents.[Hestays.]
Fr. Gen. J’ai mfcoldly deman-dé-votre-transfert - chezlesartil-leurs.
Fr. Gen.
Aud.
Vous pouvez-passer-Noël - avec-vossoldats. - Vousirez-vousentraî
Fr.
Vous pouvez-passer-Noël - avec-vossoldats. - Vousirez-vousentraî
[TheGENERALleaves.AUDEBERTsearchesinhispocketfor something.Hecannotfindit.Helookselsewhereinhisclothing. PONCHELenterswithcoffeeandnoticesAUDEBERT islookingforsomething.]
Pon.
Quelmalheur! - Maisvous n’avez-pasbesoin - d’une
Pon. photo - pourvousrappe-ler - vo-trefemme.[Hepointstohishead, “shelivesinyour imagination.”] 527
Etpuis,regar - -dez! Moiaussi, -
Pon. j’aifailli - perdre-quelque-chose! [Heremovesalargealarmclock fromhiscoatandwindsit.]
Moltoadagio,nofasterthanh=52 T1 572
[PONCHELleaves.AUDEBERTsitsalone,exhausted.Hetakesoutalogbookandbeginswritinginit.]
Aud. “Bles pstoically -sés: Grabert, - Pierre. 576
Aud.
Vingtsix-ans.LaRochelle. - Fauchon, - André.579
Aud.
imagineshiswife.]
Vingtans.SaintBrieuc.”
Aud. J’aiperdu - taphoto. - Celleprèsdeslilas...585
Aud. [Hewrites.] “Bois morestoic,asbefore -vert,Charles. Trenteans.Cancale.”588
Aud. Je [To“Madeleine.”] againexpressive l’aibienembras - -sée plusdecentfoisparjour. 591
Aud. [Hewrites.] “Morts. fassai,espr. Ver mfwithurgency -nice,Henri-Paul. - Trenteans.Amiens.”594
Aud. Mais [To“Madeleine.”] psub. Ponchel - araison. - Je pwithtenderness n’aipasbesoin-d’unephoto -
pwithtenderness
Aud. pourtevoir. Jefermelesyeux ettueslà.
Aud. Près withgreataffection dufeuetnotre-jeuneenfant - esttout
Aud.
[Fromallthreebunkers,themenimaginetheirlivesbeforethewar.Snowstartstofall,slowlyatfirst, thenincreasing,lightlyerasingthebodiesofthecorpsesinno-man’sland.]
CHORUS:Lullaby
Abitfaster(h=ca.66) 632 Sleep... p
?bbbbb SCOTTISH CHORUS ?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb FRENCHCHORUS +PONCHEL (tutti) ?bbbbb ?bbbbb
andfor-
Chor.
644
Fr.
Chor.
Ger.
Chor.
?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb
Scot.
Chor.
Fr.
Chor.
GERMANCHORUS ?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb
Chor.
?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb
?bbbbb ?bbbbb
?bbbbb ?bbbbb ?bbbbb
?bbbbb
?bbbbb
?bbbbb
?bbbbb
?bbbbb
Scot. Chor.
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor. May psemprecresc. -bewhenI wake all willhave Piùmosso,becomingimpassioned (h=ca.76) A2
Sleep psemprecresc. throughthenight... Foronce... All Pour psemprecresc.
Chor. changed...All willbewell. Thisaw
throughthenight...Notwake...Notstir...
Until - mor -ning comes...
Chor. Ger. Chor. -fulwar willhaveen -ded. WhenI
rêves tranquilles... - Tou- tela nuit... re -pas... Undoux lit... tes Mahl...Einwar -mer
outonebyoneortwoatatimeuntilonlyNIKOLAUSisleftsinging.
?bbbbb
?bbbbb ?bbbbb
?bbbbb
[Thesoldiershavefallenasleeporfadedintodespair, leavingNIKOLAUSaloneonwatch.]
?bbbbb
?bbbbb
?bbbbb
&bbbbb ?bbbbb
Nik.
[ThefocusshiftstotheGermanbunker,alllightdimmingexceptthatonNIKOLAUS,alone.]
An pwithblankemotion -na, Meine - An poco -na.IchkannnichtinmeinaltesFreely,rubato,slightlyfaster (h=ca.96) D2
696 pppsempre(re-strikeasneeded)
, 3 ,-
Nik.
Leben - zurück. - Ich withsuddenemotion fsub. kannnicht.Ich ponceagain sahzuviel. - Ichweißzuviel.Nik.
Alles-istnutzlos. - Alles: - Die pp Oper. - DerGesang. - Nutz ppp -los.
“NightBecomesDay”)
h=ca.63)
[Earlymorning:intheGermanbunker,menunpackChristmastrees. HORSTMAYERstrideson,accompaniedbyanofficer,withacommuniqué.]
Hstm.
Christ mfexasperated -bäume. - VonKronprin - -zen.
Keine - neuen-Waf -fen. Keine - neu
Sprink. f
heute - Abend - aufseinem - Fest sin gen. -
Hstm.
Kilo-me-ter - von hier. Mitei -nerge759
Hstm. -wis -sen Anna - Sø rensen. -
Hstm.
[AsmilebrightensNIKOLAUS’face,thenconcern.] Sostehteshier. 763
Hstm.
Hstm.
IchkannSiea ber - nichtbrauchen. - Fürmeine-Einheit,773
Hstm. zie somewhatthoughtfully -heichMänner-vor, dieetwas - Richti-ges-imLe ben - tun. 775 pp poco
Hstm.
So mf wieSteinmet - -ze, Bauern - undBäcker. - Künstler - sindschlechte-Sol777 pespr. p
Hstm. daten. - Be pcant.,withmockreverence -rühm -teKünstler - sind fsuddenlyangry mise 779 pcant.
[Dismissinghim.] Sie mpflatly werden-morgen-inden
HerrLeutnant. -
Hstm.
Je [ToaSENTRY.] -denTag umzehnUhr.Dieser-verdamm - -teAlarm.787
Hstm. Wasbedeu - tetdas? Seidheute-nochmehr (2.3)790
Hstm. aufderHut! Diese
Hstm.
Ger. Stry. -wohl, Herr Leutnant.M2
Hstm.
Ger. Sol.1
-nant, wohin - geht Sprink? mf
Sprink wird
Hstm.
Ger. Sol.1 Heilig-a-bend - nichtdasein.
Aber - erhatverspro - -chen,
Hstm.
Weih fincredulous nachts - -lieder! -
Hstm.
Christbäu - -me! Erscheint - alsnächstes - der
Hstm.
Weih nachts - -mann? Wir disgustedly ben - -denunsim
Fr. Chor.
[Frenchbunker.Thesoldiersjoyfullyreviewthecontentsofthecratesthathavearrived.]
Ringingandjoyous(h=ca.66) 818
Chor.
[PONCHELentersofficiouslythroughthesoldiers,carryingcoffee,scissors,andatablecloth. HenearsAUDEBERT,sittinginachair.]
Aud.
[PONCHELmakesahugeshowofunfoldingandflappingthetablecloth, wrappingitaroundAUDEBERT’Sneckandsnippinghisscissors.] J’es pnervously -père. 839
Pon.
Prêt? p
Aud.
Pon. 843 Nevousinquié-tez-pas.Vousêtesentrèsbonnesmains. p
Aud.
Senzamisura Atempo 846
Pon.
Même somewhatnervously siellestremblent-peutêtre-unpeuplusqu’avant. - Je mfwithpride suislemeilleur - barpp
Pon. -bierdeLens. Lesgensveulentquejeleurcoupelesche848
Aud.
Pon. Lens?Vousconnais-sez-un Senzamisura 850 -veux alors-mêmequ’ilsn’enontpasbesoin.o
Aud.
Pon. hommeappe-lé-Henri-Henne-bicque? Hennebicque?[Searching.] Hennebicque. -
Pon. Ah oui.Grand? [AUDEBERT nods.] Rouquin?[AUDEBERT nods.] Déga - -gésurlescôtés,AtempoR2 853
Aud. Pon. C’estmonbeaupère. -
on withhumor touchepasaucrâne.Etlanuquenette.
Lemonde estpetit![Aftercuttingthehairabit,hetakes AUDEBERTintohisconfidence.]
ARIETTA
nuit jemontelelong duchemin. -
heure, àpied, ilyamamaison. -
mèreestlàbas,
Pon. Elle p 910 p pppp ppp p
Senzamisura 913
Pon. meraconte-lespotins-duvillage. - Etpuisonsetait, etonestbien,
Pon. là, assis-commeça. En pp silence. -
Pon. Un ppp magni - -quesilence... - Sa mfparlando [suddenly] -lope-ries-depoux!
Pon. [Scrapinghiscombwithhisscissors.] Allez,-vat’en, - petit - Wilhelm!
[Finishingthehaircut.] Etvoilà,
monLieuten-ant. - Propre - etnet pourNoël!917
[PONCHELwithdrawsalittlemirrorfromhispocketandholdsitupbehindAUDEBERT’Sneck, asiftheyareinabarbershopandheisshowingAUDEBERTthebackofhisheadinamirror.]
Aud. Pon [RealizingPONCHEL’Smistake.] pkindly -chel. Vousoubli-ez: - iln’yapasdemirroir-enfacede
Aud. Pon. moi. 927
Maisbiensûr!
[Themenlaugh.PONCHELremovesthetablecloth. AUDEBERTstands.]
Aud. Pon.
Ah!lesvieilleshabi-pp
Merci-beaucoup.930 -tudes. Maisderien.
Pon. [AUDEBERTleaves.PONCHELlooksout.]
Une pdreaming heureàpied.
[TheScottishbunker.PALMERhelpsunloadcratesofsupplies,includingwhisky. JONATHANsitsapartandrereadsaletterhehaswrittentohismother.]
Jon. package. - Thank youforthegloves. Theyare 963
Jon. very - welcome - here. The Y2 967
Jon. thoughtofyouathome allsafeand 971
Jon. warm keepsusgo ing.975
[JONATHANdoesn’treact.PALMERwalksaway, butoverhearsJONATHANsigninghisletter.]
[Fromallsides,therepresentationofachateauappearsinno-man’sland.Thereisachandelierandalarge, decoratedChristmastree,andaquartetofmusicians.Apartyisinprogress.Twowaiterscirculateamongsix orsoGermanofficerswithchampagneandcigars,whileANNAandNIKOLAUSfinishthelastphrasesofthe duetfromtheoperaheardintheprologue.NIKOLAUSisdistraught.]
DUET:Withelegance,inaClassicalstyle(asbefore) in4(e=ca.112)
Anna Nik. più! Maipiù! Maipiù!Noicisepa - re 1065 Mai più! Mai più!Noi cisepa - re
Anna Nik. -rem! Mai più! Mai più!Mai p più! Noici 1068 -rem! Mai più! Mai più!Mai p più! Noici p
Anna Nik. se-pare - rem’! f
Kpr. Bra mf -vo, bravo. - Vie -lenDank! IhrGe-
Withsteadymotion,in4 (e=ca.136) F3 1075 p
Kpr. -sang brachte - michzurück - nach Berlin.1078
Ww.+Str.pizz.
Kpr.
1081
Ichweiß,dort wer -den wirimFrüh
Anna Kpr.
Kpr.
Kpr.
1093 -enddassSiesichfrei willig - melde - -ten. mf psub.
habe-michnichtfrei -wil -liggemel - -det. Ichwurde-einge 1096 pp
[Swiftlychangingthesubject.]
mögen
Eure
Nik. Kpr. -heit nocheine - Zu gabe - hören? -
[Takingthebait.]
Natür-lichpp
Seien-Siesogut,verwöh-nen-Sieunswei -ter.
[ANNAtakesNIKOLAUS’hand.Shewhisperstohimandgoestothe quartetofmusiciansanddirectsthemtoplay“Komm,Frühling!”]
Komm, pcant. Frühling!DUET:Andante(inthestyleofamid-19thC.Germanlied) (q.=48orslower) I3 1109
Komm, pcant. Frühling! -
[NIKOLAUSisovercomewithexhaustion andemotion;hecannotsinganymore. ANNAtakeshishandandsmilesathim, thenbeckonstothequartettostartover.] 1115
Komm,Frühling!-Erfül - -ledieLuft...
Komm,Früh [Faltering.] -ling!Er 3 8 3 8 3 8 3 8
Komm, Frühling! - Komm, Frühling! - Er-
Komm, Frühling! - Komm, Frühling! - Er-
Anna Nik. -sang. Komm, Frühling! - Komm, Frühling!-Des 1138 -sang. Komm, Frühling! - Komm!
Anna Nik. -heit. MachFelder-undWiesen - grün. Lass pocorall.atempo 1150 -gan -genheit. - MachFelder-undWiesen - grün. &b
Anna Nik. Winters - Traurig - -keit istnunVergan - gen 1144 piùf DesWinters - Traurig - -keit istnunVer
Anna Nik.
Blumen-undHerzen - aufblüh’n.piùp Komm, Frühling!pocorall. 1156
LassBlumen - undHerzen-aufblüh’n.piùp Komm,
Anna Nik. Komm, Frühling! - Komm her, Komm Heute,1162
Frühling! - Komm, Frühling! - Komm her, Komm
[Whentheyfinish,thepartyapplauds,thenfreezesin position.ANNAtakesNIKOLAUS’handandescorts himtoaterraceoutsideoftheparty.] 1193
pp
Beginwhenquartetreachesm.8above
Deliberate,withtenderness(q=ca.72) 1198
ppsemplice p
ON-STAGESTRINGQUARTET playsWaltz(printedbelow)
Sieht pnostalgically aus wie der
1203 Anna Balkon, - aufdemwirunsbegeg - -netsind.InOslo.1207 cant. Nik. Vor pnostalgically fünfJahren. - Beinah - eine - E wig - -keit. 1211
Aber-ihre-Phrasie - -rung könn -teeinwenig-Ver1217
Anna -besse-rung - vertra - -gen.” Un withhumor -gebe - -tene - Kri -tik. 1219 espr. pp
Anna Im -mereine - gute - Verfüh - -rungstech - -nik. 1221
Ich mfwithpassion war tete-dieganze-Nacht.Dieganze-nachtauf 1226 p
einen - Au -genblick, - indemduallein - bist unddannfand 1229 pp
Nik. pdolce(freely) Vielleicht[Caressinghisface,outliningthe newscaronhisforehead.] Atempo rall.
ichdichaufdiesem-Balkon. -
istdiese - Nacht meine - Nachtumdich zun -den.
All [Lookingbackattheparty.] diefetten, - alten -
Männer! - Kip -penihren-Champag - -ner! Erzäh-len1245
schmutzi-ge-Witze! - Wäh rend - dieMenschen - ster -ben... 1247
Anna Ich p [Alittleslyly.] ließ direinZimmer - auf meinem-Stockwerk - geben. -
1250
wennwiro -bensind... 1256
Ichwillnichtslieber - alsdas!
A pbrokenanddistant -ber,Anna - ichkannnicht! Ichmußzurück1259 ppp mf psub.
withgrowinganger Zu mf -rück?Heut’Nacht? Turbulent,dramatic
Nachallem,-wasichtat?DemKronprinz’ - einen - Briefschrieb?
- sein
morendopocoapoco, “broken”
leid,Anna. - Ichglaube, - ichbinnichtmehrderMann der p
-genblick - verstrich - seit du weg gings’t
andemichnichtfürdenAugen-blick - leb -te
an withmoreemotion dem ichdichwie der
liege, - nichteinAugen-blick - nicht einein-
ziger - Augen-blick - seit duweggingst.
Anna Nach pwithdisillusionment -demichsoweit gegang - -enbin withgrowingrage wagstdu,
WithurgencyT3 1317 pp ° ø
Anna mirzusagen - dassdumichablehnst - diese-Träumte, - wofür-ichlebte?1321 p
Anna Nik.
Ichwerd’snichterlau - -ben. Ichwerde-mitdirge [Moreemphatically.] -hen!Ich 1325
Nein!
Anna Nik. wer de - mitdirge hen! - Doch, 1329 KommnichtinFrage! - Esistzugefähr - -lich! f f f p p p
Anna dastuich. Genau-dastu ich. rall. 1332
Anna Nik.
Außer-dem-wirstduhiernichtohne-Passier-schein - wegkom-men. - Von Atempo(q=ca.72) 1336
Anna
Wilhelm-persön - -lich! Du affectionately hastkeine - Wahl.Nichtwahr, 1339 pp
ON-STAGESTRINGQUARTET playsWaltz(printedbelow)
Anna
& 3 3 & > ? &
Liebster? -
[Shetakesseveralstepsforward;NIKOLAUSremainsbehind. Shereachesouttohim,hecomesforward,theyembrace, thenmoveon.EndScene8.]
[Eveninginallthreebunkers.IntheFrenchbunker,thesoldiersenjoyafeastand intheGermanbunker,theydrinkschnappsorbeerandfinishtrimmingtheChristmastrees. IntheScottishbunker,SCOTTISHSOLDIER2enters,tootingonabagpipe.]
Withsomberexpression(q=ca.96)
[IntheScottishbunker,themendrinkandlaugh.SCOTTISHSOLDIER2enters,tootingabagpipe.]
Slower,butstillwithmotion (q=84) 1363
And mfwithhumor wheredidyoundthat?!
ladsfromthesixty-seventh-passediton.Dona-ted-itwhentheyfoundoutwherewe’dbefor
[TheSoldierstartstoplayaballadthat thesoldiersinstantlyrecognize.]
Wistful,withfolknuance (q=ca.69–72) 1367
How’boutatunethen?
[DirectingSCOT.SOL.2.]
Palm.
[SCOT.SOL.2startsagain. PALMERsingsasentimentalballadoftheday.] Ma fwistful,melancholy,withfolknuance -nythemilesIhavetravel’d,1370
Startagain. -
(ornamentsadlib.) ?bb
Palm.
Many - theseasIhavecross’d,Ofttimes - mydreamshaveunravel’d.1374
Palm.
Ofttimes-mysoulhasbeenlost. Butwherev-er - Imaybegoing, - how1378
Palm. -ever - myheart’sledastray, - Thereisever - somesolace-inknowing, - My 1382
Palm.
home’snever-far away. - Myhome’snever-far away.1386
Gord.
[Fromtheotherbunkers,thesoldiershavestopped eatinganddrinkingandlisten;someareenchanted, somearesad,somearecautious.Whentheballad ends,thereisaslightpausetopermitsomemelancholy —andthenarousingcheer.]
[Thebagpipesstartupagain.GORDONsings. Heisgraduallyjoinedbyothersoldiersand rejoinedbyPALMERbytheendofthesong.]
Ma f -nythemilesIhave V3 1390
HeyFather,-let’shearitagain. -
Gord.
Pon. travel’d, - Many - theseas Ihave 1393 Va fwithsarcasm(intheforeground)
Hstm.
Gord. Pon.
Ist [TotheSENTRY.] f daseinAblen-kungs - -manö-ver? -
[NIKOLAUSandANNAhaveentered theGermanbunker,unbeknownst tothesoldiers.]
Bleibtwachsam!1395 cross’d, Ofttimes - mydreamshaveun-corelesbombes.
Nik.
Gord. Palm. Scot. Chor. Je [ReferringtotheScotssinging.] f -mandfeierteinFestundwirsind
[AsmallcheerrisesfromtheGermanbunker, thengaspsofaweasthesoldiersseethatthere isnowawomanintheirpresence.] nichteinge-la-den?1397 -ravel’d.
(underGermansoldiers)
(underGermansoldiers)
p wher(underGermansoldiers)
[Showinghimaletter,sarcasticallyusingthe samewordsHorstmayerusedinScene5.]
Sprink! f Wieso-sindSiezurück?? - Undweristdas??
Alles-inOrdnung, - Leutnant. -
- I maybegoing, - How-
- I maybegogoing, How-
- I maybegogoing, How-
Hierstehtes.VomKronprinz.[HORSTMAYER backsoff.] Mei (f) -neHerrn,
- myheart’sledastray, - Thereis
Thereis
Nik. hatLustaufECHTEN - Gesang?
[Theycheer.NIKOLAUSsingsaGermanChristmas carol,accompaniedbyasoldieronharmonica.] - Hab f 1408
Freude-imHerzen, - OChristen-heit!menof Freu’dichfürdieseWithcheer,butnofasterthanq.=60! X3 1410
Oh, faboveNIKOLAUS etpuisEUXmaintenant! -
-cheZeit!DaliegtdasJesus-kind, - aufHeuundaufStroh,Ma-
Jenesaispasce’quiestpire:lebruitduchatqu’onégorge - dans
Gord.
Pon. ri [Thebagpiperjoinsin.] - -aundJosef - betrach - -tenesfroh. Über - -allherrscht 1416 [ReferringtoSCOTTISHSOLDIER2playingbagpipes.] aboveNIKOLAUS Mc fRosbif-land, - ouleKGHGHGHdecettelangueigno-ble. -
Nik.
Gord.
Palm.
Fried -lichkeit! - HabFreude-imHerzen,-OChristen - heit! 1419 -Donnaugh, - putthatdown. [ToGORDON.] Oh, faboveNIKOLAUS comeon.Lethimplay.
[OthersoldiersrepeatPALMER’ssentiment. NIKOLAUS,emboldenedbythebagpiper joiningin,singsagain.] Hab 1422 Nik. Hstm.
Freu [NIKOLAUSstandsontopofthebunker.] -deimHerzen, - OChris ten - -heit! 1427 Sprink! faboveNIKOLAUS Wasmachen - Sieda? p Nik.
Hstm.
Freu’dichfürdie se - glorrei - -cheZeit! Da 1429 SindSieverrückt-gewor-den? - Kommen-Siedarun-ter!
&bb ?bb
Nik.
Fr.
Sen.
Pon.
liegtdasJesus-kind, - aufHeuundaufStroh,Ma1431 [Raisinghisguntoaim.] On f n’a O, faboveNIKOLAUS monDieu! Maisquefaitil?Nik.
Aud.
Sen. -ria - undJosef - betrach - -tenesfroh. Über - -all herrscht
Fr.
[TheFRENCHSENTRYobeys.TheGermansoldierspositionChristmastreesonebyone atoptheirbunker,asNIKOLAUSfinishesthesong.ThereisacheerfromtheGermans, echoedbytheScots,thenfollowedbytheFrench.]
-lichkeit! - HabFreude - imHerzen,-OChristen - -heit! 1436 Sprink! DasistgeWill f youlookatthat? It’s
Fried
[NIKOLAUSstartstosingaChristmassonginLatin.SCOTTISHSOLDIER2accompanieshim. NIKOLAUSisemboldenedtopickupaChristmastreeandstepforward.]
Dor mfcant. -mi Jesu! - Mater - ri-det, Possiblyevenslower(q.=ca.52)withtimeforall interjectionstobeclearlyheard!Z3 1444
1449
[TwootherScottishsoldiersrise tothetopofthebunker.Andnow oneortwoFrenchmenrise.] du1453
[SCOTTISHSOLDIER2movestothetopofthebunker. Slowlyandcautiously,anotherScottishsoldierdoesthesame.] -mi, Je su blan
HORSTMAYER
[NIKOLAUSslowlymovestowardthecenterofno-man’sland. Ashedoes,moreScottishandFrenchsoldiersstandatthetopoftheirbunkers.] Dor mpcant. -mi Jesu!A4
C’est [Fromthebunker.] f unpiège. Fais [Fromthebunker.] f atten-tion. - [Thesoundofbagpipesgraduallyfadesout, yeton-stageactorcontinues“playing”until NIKOLAUSfinishessong]
Mater - ridet, - Quae tam dulcet -
What f[ToPALMER.] areyoudoing? - Thisisatrick. Get
Gord. Fr. Sol.1 som num - videt, - Dormi, - Je -su 1464 downfromthere.
mfwithsuspicion y_aunegrenade-danscetarbre.Nik. blan
[PALMERhaslitacandleandhelditup.Anothersoldier,thenanother,lightsacandle andholdsitup.NIKOLAUSendsthesongandhoistsaChristmastreeintheairasa gestureofpeace.ThegestureisechoedbytheScottishsoldiersraisingtheircandles. Thereischeeringandapplausefromallsides.] dule!1468
Nik.
Hstm.
Palm.
Good [ShoutingspiritedlyacrosstotheScottishsoldiers.] f evening-totheEnglish!B41472 [Fromatopthebunker.] Sprich [toNIKOLAUS] mf nichtmitihnen! - [steppingintono-man’sland, shoutingacrosstoNIKOLAUS] Good f evening-tothe
Palm. German! - ButwearenotEnglish, - sir, weareScottish![TheScotscheer.] 1476
Nik.
Scot. Sol.1 No, itwouldproba-bly -
1479 Andwewouldrather-diethansinginGerman! -
Sol.3
1482
Ger. Sol.2 killme rstifyousanginGerman![TheScottishsoldierslaugh.]
Qu’estce f -qu’ildit? Was f sagter?
Ww.,Hp.+Vib.
FRENCHSOLDIER1
Fr. Sol.1
Ger. Sol.3 Que f çaletuerait - delesenten - -drechanter - enalle-mand.[TheFrenchand Germanslaugh.] 1486
Daß f ergestor-ben - wäre-wennsieDeutschgesun - -genhätten.
HORSTMAYER
Hstm.
Sprink! [Steppingdownfromthebunker.] Zurück-zumBunker. - DasisteinBefehl![Slowly,theGermansoldiersstandand risetothetopofthebunker.] Jetzt! 1489
FRENCHSOLDIER2
Fr. Sol.2
Wie,keinepp
Fr. Sol.2
[Themenlaugh.] 1493
Zuga-be? -
Ger. Sol.1
Jeparie - quetaancée - ditlamêmechose!
[HORSTMAYERlooksbehindhimandseesthathissoldiersareatthetopofthebunker. Hehasnochoice;hewithdrawsawhiteflagandwavesitandrushestograbNIKOLAUS.]
1496 Sprink!DasisthiernichtBerlin!
Nik.
Aud. it’sbetter.[GORDONapproachesthetwoofficers, awhiteflaginhishand.]
Une mf réun-ion-ausom-
Aud. -metetjen’suispasconvié? - Voyons-voir. [AUDEBERTapproachesthetwoofficers, awhiteflaginhand.]
irritably Halt’s f Good
evening, - Lieuten-ant. - DoyouspeakEnglish?
Nik. Hstm.
Aud. 1509
Nik.
1516
Gord. [TranslatingforGORDON] Mes ppunderGORDON sieurs. Jesuissûrquevouspen-
Nik.
Nik. Gord. cesoir. Noussommestousclairment - épui - -sés, 1522 Weareallclear -lyexhaus - -ted, p mf &
Gen mf -tlemen. - Ithinkyoubelieve - asI do, pp
Gord. -sezcommemoi, quecetteguerrenesera - pasré -glée 1519 thatthiswarwillnotbesettled - tonight. -
? & & & ‹ ? & & ? &
Nik.
Gord. et jepropose - uncessez-le-feu. - Pource 1525 andIpropose - acease re. - Fortonightp
Nik.
Gord. soirseulement - Pourlaveille - deNoël.1528 only. - OnChristmas-Eve.
Gord. Aud.
1532
Hstm. A ppwarily -greed. Butonly-fortonight.1537
Hstm.
Gord.
Aud.
Veryslowly,with uncertainty(q.=ca.48) 1541 Hap p -pyChristmas.Joy p eux [HeshakesHORSTMAYER’Shand.] -Noël.
[GORDONshakesAUDEBERT’Shand, thenHORSTMAYER’S] Fröh plesscelebratory -liche-Weihnach-ten. -
[Thesoldiersslowlymovefromthetopofthebunkerstowardeachother,notsmiling. Whenallforcesmeetinno-man’sland,thereisalong,tensepause—thiscouldgoeitherway.]
[Suddenly,PONCHELreachesinhis pocket,scaringthenervousGermans standinginfrontofhim;oneortwo menreachfortheirguns.]
PONCHEL:[Presentingachocolatebarandunwrappingit.]Chocolat?
GERMANSOLDIER3:Siezuerst.
PONCHEL:[Comprehendingwhatthesoldiermeans.]Biensûr.[Hetakesabite.Thenoffersit.]
GERMANSOLDIER3:[Hetakesthechocolatebarandthenbitesintoit.]Schmecktgut.
Chor.
[Themenstarttomix,tentativelyatfirst,thengrowingincelebration. AGermansoldierrevolts,pushesaFrenchsoldierandstormsoff.]
Tentativelyatrst,gainingmomentum (q.=ca.60) G4 1564 pp
SOLDIERS:each entranceisadifferentsinger,solo
Chor. Champa - gne? - YouarefromMetz? My H4 1580 Quelbruitatroce... - Comment-ditHavesomewhisky... - Comment-çaenjoue? It’ssimple... -
[Duringtheabove,NIKOLAUShasretrievedANNAfromthebunkerandbringsherforward. Thesoldierssuddenlybecomesilentatthesightofawomanandstareatherinawe. ANNAisalittlefrightened,butNIKOLAUSreassuresher.]
senzarall.
Pon.
Scot. Sol.1
Scot. Sol.3 -rapourquoi.1619 I p[StaringatANNA.] thinkIhearbells. YouDO [HepointstoPALMER] hearbells.
Palm.
1622
[Everyoneturns.PALMERhasfoundthebrokenbellinthe churchandstrikesit.Hehascreatedasmallaltarwith wardebrisandbayonets.]
[Themenmovesilentlyand slowlytoPALMER]
Rathersolemn,approx.h=q (h=ca.60)
[ToANNA.] Ich [NIKOLAUSandANNAhavelaggedbehind,andbehindthem AUDEBERT,GORDONandHORSTMAYER.]
1626 De [Continuingservice,intonedinthebackground.] p -us, quihanc sacra-tis-si-mam-noctem... -
binfroh, dassichdichher -bringen -
musste. - Ich hätte-dasnichtgeglaubt - hätte-iches
Palm. ganz allein - erlebt!1632 ...ve (fadingbackin) -rilumi-nis - fecis - -ti illus - -tratio o mp - -neclares - -cere; -
Palm. [AUDEBERThasapproached.] Bon -soirLieute-nant. - Jevouspré1634 daquaesu-mus; - ut p cujus - lucis - myste - -ria -
Hstm.
1643 devait - accou-cher - denotr’enfant.ppocorinf.
Hstm.
Hstm.
Palm. over.
[Theyjointheservice.JONATHANappearsfromthebunkerwithhisgunand ablanket.Hesearchesamongthecorpsesforhisbrotherandfindshim.]
Jon. pwithaquietrage canstillhearyou: “Theglory1655 ppp smfz p
Jon. ofbattle! - France! Heroes...”1657
Jon. Iwish Iwasthere andyouwerehere 1659
[GERMANSOLDIER1wandersondrunkenlyfrom hisbunkertotakeapiss—thenseesJONATHAN.] 1661
William. -
1663
Ger. Sol.1 Na, frecklessly DuSchotten-rock! - Duglaubstdiesen-Mistwohlauchnicht?Ich
Ger. Sol.1
hab’den Gene - -ralschondarü - -berinfor - -miert.
Ger. Sol.1
Keine - Sorge: - wirkehr’nzurück - zum 1667 o
Ger. Sol.1
Bumm,Bumm,Bumm,Morgen-früh. [Offeringhimschnapps.] Aucheinen?[JONATHANglares attheSOLDIER. Hebacksoff.] 1668
Ger.
Sol.1
Ach, dismissively machdoch,wasduwillst! [GERMANSOLDIER1wandersdrunkenly backtothebunker.] 1670
Jon. You fffurious needn’t-worry, - William. - Youneedn’t-worry,1674
Jon. brother. - They mfbutwithintenseinnerrage willpay forthis. 1676
Jon. havetomurder - ev -’rylastoneofthemwithmyownhands.
Jon. Ev- ’rylastoneofthem.
one. [JONATHANtakesablanketandcoversWILLIAM. Heliesdownnexttohim,whereheremains untiltheendoftheact.PALMERfinishestheservice.]
Deus, - peromni-a-saecu-la - saecu-lo-rum. - Amen. -
[PALMERsignalsforNIKOLAUStosing. NIKOLAUSstandsandbeaming,beckonsANNAtosing.]
Anna Do psemprecantabile
-na nobis - pa cem. Do-
Do psemprecantabile
-na nobis - pa cem. Do-
Anna -na no bis pa cem. -na no bis pa cem.
Anna piùp,religioso
Dona - no bis pa cem. piùp,religioso
Dona - no bis pa cem. -
Anna
Dona, - dona - no bis
Dona, - dona - no bis
Anna pa cem.
Dona - no pa cem.
Dona - no
[Themenallstandinsilence, awestruck.PALMERrises.]
[Thementurntoleave.Suddenly,inthedistance,thereareexplosionsandaflickerinthenighttimesky. Theyfreeze.]
[Earlymorningfogthenextday.JONATHANstridestowardno-man’slandwithashoveltoburyhisbrother. LightscomeupdimlyontheGermanbunkerwheretwosentriesarewatchinghisactions.]
Bleak(q=92)
Ger. Sol.1
Ger. Sol.3 schotti-schen-Schweinhun-den-panzen-schonwieder-Minen. -
Viel psuspiciously -leicht mp
Ger. Sol.1
Ger. Sol.3 Wir?
waren-wirletzte-Nachtzufreundlich-zuihnen. -
Ger.
Sol.1 -geben. - Nun,derWaffen-still-stand - istvorbei. -
Ger. Sol.1 Es withmenace wirdZeit,dasssieihrerstes-Weihnachts-ge-schenk-be-
-kommen.[Heliftshisgun.]
GERMANSOLDIER3
Gord.
[FromtheScottishbunker,GORDONappearswith PALMERandoneortwomen,wavingawhiteflag.]
Hold f on!Holdyour
[Ignoringhim,clickingthetriggerandsingingmockingly]
mf Tannen-baum!-OTannen...erschies-sen.-Nichtjetzt...
areyoudoing?-Thetruceisover!
Palm. they’llshootyou.Comeon.Come p backto
[IntheGermanbunker,HORSTMAYER hasenteredandseesGORDON.] thebunker.88
Hstm. Rau [ToGERMANSOLDIER1.] mf -hut!
[YellingtoGORDON fromhisbunker.] The f truce [GERMANSOLDIER1doesnotshoot.] hasended.-Yourwhiteags 91
Hstm. Gord.
[FromtheScottishbunker,twoorthreesoldiers standandpointtheirgunsatHORSTMAYER.] 93
meannothing-any-more.
Hewasonly-trying-tobury-hisbrother. -
Waffe-run [GER.SOL.1haltingly putsdownhisgun.] -ter. Tell [ToGORDON.] yourmennottoshoot.
Hstm. Gord. [ToGERMANSOLDIER1.]
[TheyturntotakeJONATHANbacktohisbunker.]
Hstm. [GORDONturnsbackandsignals forthementoputdowntheirguns.] [HORSTMAYERleavesthebunkerandcrossestoGORDON.]
q=84) E
Hstm. May p -be... maybe-itistime...
p
Hstm. tobury-all ofthem. [GORDONremains;PALMERand JONATHANcontinuetothebunker.] Thedead.
[Afteralongpause,lookingbothatGORDONand HORSTMAYER,thenbackagain,AUDEBERTcalls toPONCHELintheFrenchbunker.] Pon fparlando -chel,café! -
[HORSTMAYER,GORDON,andAUDEBERTsit. Thereisanuncomfortablepause.] Withuncertainty,alittleslower (q=ca.80)
Hstm.
OnChristmas-Day. 142
[Translating,toGORDON.]
Aud.
Oui,nousvoilà. - LejourdeNoël. -
Gord. I [ToHORSTMAYER,thenout.] under-stood... - Seemsapro-pos. - I [Alittleexcitedly.] mustsay, 146 p
Hstm.
Gord.
Theyresume“business”.]
someexhilaration.]
AUDEBERT
Hstm.
Gord. -rernosmorts. Jusqu’à-quinzeheures. 161 Tillfteen-hundred...ppp
Hstm.
Aud. D’accord.-Agreed.G164 D’accord.p
Aud. Pon. [NoticingPONCHEL’Sdistractedness.] LecaFÉ,-Ponchel. -
[PONCHELenterswithcoffee. Helookslonginglyinthedirectionofhishometown.] [Snappingoutofhisreverie.]
[PONCHELpoursthecoffeeandexits.Themendrinktheircoffee.]
Hstm.
Aud. Et [ToAUDEBERT.] enéchange - vouspouvez-récu-pé-rer-lescorpsdevos 175 lasemaine-dernière. -
Hstm.
Aud. hommesquisontdansnostranchées-depuis-votre-stupi-de-assaut-hier. -
[Temperrising.]
Hstm.
Pardon...-Trèsstupi-de. -
angrily
Gen [Mitigatingthesituation.] -tlemen!-Thisissupposed-tobeatruce!
Gord.
Asbefore,withgentility(q=80) I 186 [ToGORDON, correctinghim.]
[Changingthesubject,tryingtospeakFrenchtoAUDEBERT]
Hey, mf lacafé-est ex -cellent. -
Aud.
Aud. café.-Ponchel-nesaitpasfairedumauvais-café. -
pairyanddream-like
Hstm. La [ToAUDEBERT.] nuitdernière-vousavez-ditquevousvivez-àParis,-n’est-cepas?
Le mf
Hstm.
Aud. Estce-rueVavin, - parhasard?[AUDEBERTnods. HORSTMAYERwithdraws awalletfromhispocket.] 194
AUDEBERT
Oui. suspiciously,parlando pp
Hstm.
Aud. Alors,-j’aitrouvé-ceci. - Vousavez-dulelais196 Mon fexcitedly porte-feuil-le!f mpespr.
Hstm. -sertomber-dansnotre-bunker-hier.[AUDEBERTsearchesthroughhiswallet andwithdrawsthephotoofMadeleine, whichhebeamsat.]
Hstm.
Voushabi-tez-dansmonquarti-er - préfé-ré.201 p
Hstm. Mafemme-etmoin’étions-pastrèsloin,pendant-notre-lunede
[ToGORDON.] thinkIknow: Slower,butwithenergy (q=ca.60) J
Hstm. Gord. miel. [FromtheFrenchbunker,thealarmclocksounds.]
Hstm.
Aud. Pour [ToAUDEBERT,somewhatfreely.] -quoiest-ceque-l’alar-me-sonne-touslesjoursàdixheures? 207 Ah...
Hstm.
Aud. [ToGORDON,translating.] Be pp -forethewar... Ponchel-had
Hstm.
Alittlefaster,withreection (q=76) 209 A mf -vantlaguerre... - Ponchel-prenait-lecafé-avec-samère pp
Aud. coffee-withhismother - ev’ry-morning-atteno’
Hstm.
clock Itisjustaremin-der. - He’sa-
justeunpetit-rappel. - Parcequ’ilapeurd’oubli-er.Hstm. Gord. -fraidhe’llforget.
[Thesoldiersmoveoutoftheirbunkerstowardno-man’sland.Somemakemakeshift crosseswhileotherssilentlyremoveweapons,identification,letters,photographs,etc., fromthecorpsesasPALMERperformslastrites.]
-mets... monami... - miquejen’aija-
promise-you... myfriend... my
promise-you... myfriend... my
-mets... monami... - monami-quejen’aija-
monami...
monami-quejen’aija-
friendwhoInever-knew... I
friendwhoInever
promise-you I
promise-you promise-you I p promise-you -mets
Ger. Chor. -lorsquenousvousenter-rons, - loins f dechez
as mp welay youdown, f as mp welay youdown, f -lorsquenousvousenter-rons, - loins f dechez -lorsquenousvousenter-rons, - loins f dechez -spreche-dir wennwir dich f begrab-en,-spreche-dir wennwir dich f begrab-en,
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor. vous, loinsdechezvous, 249 milesaway-fromhome, milesaway-from milesaway-fromhome, milesaway-from vous, loinsdechezvous, vous, loinsdechezvous,
Jon.
Pon.
Scot. Chor.
Fr. Chor.
JONATHAN
Ger. Chor. you p will
Scot. Chor.
notbeforgot-ten. - Wewillre-
Fr. Chor.
Ger. Chor.
-maisoubli-é. - Nousnoussouvien-notbeforgot-ten. - Wewillrenotbeforgot-ten - Wewillre-maisoubli-é. - Nousnoussouvien--maisoubli-é. - Nousnoussouvien-nichtverges-sen-sein. Wirwerden-unsan nichtverges-sen-sein. Wirwerden-unsan
Jon. Pon.
mem mf - -beryou, We p willre-
drons mf - devous Nous p noussouvien
Scot. Chor.
Fr. Chor.
mem mf - -beryou, We p willre-
mem mf - -beryou, We p willre-
drons mf - devous Nous
drons
Ger. Chor.
Jon. Pon. Scot. Chor. Fr. Chor.
-mem -beryou, Wewillre-
Chor.
-drons devous Nousnoussouvien -mem -beryou, Wewillre-mem -beryou, Wewillre-drons devous Nousnoussouvien -drons
Nousnoussouvien werden
-you...
Jon. Pon.
down... ...miles mp away - fromhome...
Scot. Chor. Fr. Chor. Ger. Chor.
Jon. Pon.
Scot. Chor. Fr. Chor. Ger. Chor.
Pon. Scot. Chor. Fr. Chor. Ger. Chor.
-member-you for ev ff -er. q=q. Mournful(q.=ca.52) O
-dronsdevoustou jours. ff -member-you for ev ff -er. -member-you for ev ff -er. vous tou jours. ff -dronsdevoustou jours. ff
(pipesfadeoutaspiperprocessesoff-stagewiththerest)
[ANNAandNIKOLAUSremainbehindandwatchtheprocessionfadefromview. ANNAclutchesthelettersandphotosshehasgatheredfromthecorpses.]
öffnet-undsiehteinen-MannmitderNachricht,withdread die pp
siesofürchtet.
-berdenMann,mitdemsiedasLeben-teilte...-über-denMann,
Somewhatfaster,butverysteady,withresolve (q=92)
[NIKOLAUSholdsANNA,thenwrapshisarmaroundherastheytrudgetowardthegravesite. Onthreedifferentplatformsrolledsuddenlyandjarringlyintono-man’sland,threemenappearwith communiqués:theKRONPRINZ,theFRENCHGENERAL,andaBRITISHMAJOR.Theyareclearlyangry.]
Wiekönnen-gute-Deutsche -
haveconrmed-it, disbe-lief-hasbeenre-
soetwas-tun? Dasmuss
placed -byrageandindig-na-tion. -
They’renolessthantraitors! - Whohavebemp pp
auf hören. - Unser -
-trayed ourcause. Thisisnothow
LandtutdasBeste - undschicktseinen-SolW
warisfought.Thisisnothowwarisrun. Notre-pays - est
-daten-diebesten-Würste - unddiese-Männer -
las senwürden. -
415 elseoccurred. - Des
teilen-siemitdenen-dieunsverhun - -gern 412 sharing-schnapps, andGodknowswhat etonleurdonne-duchamKpr. Brit. Maj. Fr.
Un-
Kpr.
Brit. Maj. Fr. Gen.
spuckten-aufdieKrone! - Unddafür430 prayersshaking-hands, andmustbe eux! L’enne-mi! - Pourçailsdevp f
Kpr. Brit. Maj. Fr. Gen. müssen-siebezah-len. -
=e Y 433 stanchedbefore-it’sworse! -rontpayer! -
[Fromthebackofthestage,thesoldiers haverushedonplayingsoccer,sittingand playinggamesofpoker,tellingjokes, sharingwhisky,playingbagpipes, harmonicas,enjoyingajoyousrelease afterthefuneral.]
Kpr.
Das pwithsecrecy istAnar
Mea pwithsecrecy -suresmustbetaken,-toreDis pwithsecrecy -crète-ment,-discrè-te
-chie!Dasistgefähr-lich! - Niemand-darfdavon-erfah-ren! -
-bukethemfortheiractions. - Swiftandpotent-measures-thaten-ment,voilà-comment-procé-der. - Nousdevons-veil-
Kpr.
Wirmüssen-esbeen-den. - Dasdarfnichtwieder -
-surethisevil - willnotoccur-again.-leràcequecela-neserepro-dui-se-jamais. -
[Thethreeplatformsrolloffasthesoccergameendswithacheer.Thecelebrationisatitspeak. ThenGORDONsignalstoAUDEBERTandHORSTMAYERthatit’sthreeo’clock.]
[Themensuddenlyquietdown.Theysilentlyshakehands,embraceandslowly returntotheirbunkers.Thethreeofficersremaininthecenterofno-man’sland.]
Hstm. Gord. Ithasbeenanhonor-to
whatev-er-happens. -
Hstm. meetyou. Maybe-indiff’rent-circum-stan-ces... -
Gord. -tlemen.[GORDONwalkstowardhisbunker.AUDEBERTshakesHORSTMAYER’Shand.] Bon [ToAUDEBERT.] -nechance.
Hstm. Gord.
Hstm.
Jen’aiaucun-mérite: - Ma
-lentfrançais.Hstm. femme-vientdeMarseil-les.[Theyshakehandsandreturntotheirbunkers.]
[IntheGermanbunker,HORSTMAYERconfrontsANNAandNIKOLAUS.]
q=ca.84)
-vorSieihnwiedieHasen-abknal-len?E1
Wie f Sie,werde-ich
Nik. nichtmalDeutscher. - Siesindeinkomplet-ter-Idi-ot-wennSie
glauben-Siedienen-Ihrem-gelieb-ten-“Va terland.”-Siedienen-den
Junkern,-Siedienen-diesem-Trottel-vonKaiser. - Siedienen -
Anna
Aber-nichtinIhrGefäng-nis.[Softly,toNIKOLAUS,offeringherhand.] NimmmeineFaster,withmotion(q=ca.100) H1
Hstm.
[ANNAfirmlyguidesNIKOLAUSacross no-man’slandtowardtheFrenchbunker.] Sehrgut. 629
auf! [THESOLDIERSputtheirgunsdowninresistance.]
Ichsagte,-Haltet-sieauf!
Hstm.
befeh-le-Ihnen, - stehen-zubleiben!-Sonstwerde-ichSieper633
Ich [YellingtoANNAandNIKOLAUS outsideofthebunker.]
Hstm. -sönlich-erschies
[HORSTMAYERtriestograbtheSENTRY’sgun;hewillnotcedeit. Hefindsanothersoldier,pusheshimtothegroundandtakeshisgun.] -sen. - Ich
sagte,
Halt!
Hstm.
Hstm.
Hstm.
Alittlefaster, pocorubatoI1 640
[HORSTMAYERraisesthegun.Putsitdown. Thenraisesitagain.Hefinallyshootsitintotheair. ANNAandNIKOLAUSfreezeforasecond,thencontinue.]
[HORSTMAYERtossestheguninto no-man’slandandsnapsathismen.]
Was fangrily,parlando gucktIhrsodumm? 645 fespr.
[HORSTMAYERstormsoffangrily.ANNAand NIKOLAUShavereachedtheFrenchbunker.]
Machteuren-eige-nen-Kram,verdammt! -
Nous [ToAUDEBERT.] deman-dons... -
[Interrupting,toAUDEBERT.]
Nousinsis
Duséri-eux-delasitu-a-tion? -
Toutàfaitconscients. -
pdolce Nik. Main pp -tenant-quenousnous ritenuto Atempo,inwardly,intimatelyL1 688 pp
sommes-retrou-vés, - rien growingstronger nepourra-nous 691 p
Nik. sépa-rer.withmoreconviction Surtout-pas 694
chées.
Chor.
[PONCHELappearspartiallydressedinaGermanuniform.] Jedoistevoir,chèremaman. - Pourtedire, 722 ange.Finally-hadagoodnight’ssleep.
pourtedirecequ’ils’estpassé.-Cheznous. Uneheure.
‹ FRENCHSOLDIER.(Ten.) 5 ?
(GER.SOL.(Bar.)) & ‹ FRENCHSOLDIER.(Ten.) 3 ?
SCOT.SOL.(Bar.)?
(SCOT.SOL.(Bar.))
Chor. Laplupart-d’entre-nousnecompre-naient-pasunmotdecequ’ilsdisaient.732 -macht! Onesttoustellement-maBeatusbadly-atfootball.visit-whenthewarisover.ø
&
? & ‹ (FR.SOL.(Ten.))
3 & ‹ (FR.SOL.(Ten.)) -
Chor. Maisçanefaisait-rien.734 -ladesdecette-guerre.WhoknewGermans-hadasenseofhumor!Seine-Frausiehtein
?
SCOTTISHSOLDIER(Ten.orBar.) 3 ?
Chor. N’en
Huitenfants... - huit!Tuterendscompte? Erzähl-nieman-dem-davon.wenig-auswiedu. aber-langnichtsohübsch.
Jon. Jerrys. - Ifhekeeps thisuphe’llhavethebest
Jon. Aud. record-inthewholeplatoon. - Yourglovescon742 Faisdebeauxrêves,-Made-leine. -
Jon.
-tinue-tokeepourhandswarm. Much
[Lightsupsuddenlyandsharply.It’sthenextmorning.
TheBRITISHMAJORstandsintheScottishbunkerbeforethesoldiers.]
Brit. Maj. I mf
-movedfromthissector.
Brit. Maj. notex-commu-ni-ca-ted. - Therestofyouarebeing -
Brit. Maj. movedtothefrontlines ofNeuveCha-pelle.
pominously
Brit. Maj.
Brit. Maj.
Ev’ry-onetohis 786
Ev’ [Tothesoldiers.] -ryone-tohispost! [Thesoldiersignorehim.]
Brit. Maj. post [Again,thesoldiers ignorehim.] Gordon![GORDONturnsawayfromtheMAJOR.]
Whatareyouwaiting-for? 788
Brit. Maj.
Shootthebloody-Kraut!Whatareyouplaying-at?Shoothim! 790
Brit. Maj.
792
[Ashotringsout;thesoldierisstruckandfalls.Analarmclockringsfrominsidethesoldier’scoat. ItisPONCHEL.JONATHANstandsupwithhisriflestillsmoking,acoldsmirkonhisface. TheBRITISHMAJORsmilesatJONATHAN.]
Brit. Maj.
oneofyouhasn’t-losthissenses. - Finish-packing-your 796
Brit. Maj. Andgo.
[Heleaves.TheSCOTTISHSOLDIERSslowlyexit.PALMERlookssadly atJONATHANwholooksawayandleaves.PALMERremains.Inthe meantime,threemenhaverushedfromtheFrenchbunkerwavingwhite flagstocarryPONCHELbacktotheFrenchbunker.]
Aud.
Pon. -sé?
C’est p[Gaspingforbreath.] absur-de-demourir-commeça,n’est-cepas?Dansununi
quevousavez-unls. 817
Aud.
[PONCHEL’Seyesrollback. Heisdead.AUDEBERTquickly andsharplyturnstohissoldiers.]
En fspokenangrily, dismissively -levez-le.[AgroupofFrench soldiersremove PONCHEL’Scorpse.] 828
Palm. “Make
[IntheScottishbunker,PALMERsingsanoldhymn.] meachannel-ofYourpeace.Wherethereis
hatred-letmebringYourlove.Wherethereisinju-ry,-Yourpardon,
Palm.
Lord.Andwherethere’sdoubt,truefaithinYou. 839 ppp
Palm. [Herepeatsthelastlineruminatively.]
piùp Truefaithin... [Heremoveshiscrossandthrowsitintono-man’slandandleaves.] 842
Palm. 846
Nesaismp
Gen. -tudoncpasquecequetuasfaitestconsi-dé-ré-commeun
Gen. O, nevousinquié-tez-pas.Per872 -licl’apprenne.
876
Aud. Fr. Gen. vousdécou-vert, - vous? 884 J’ai coldly messources.mfmarc.
Fr.
dire: Vous matter-of-factly êtesgrandpère.928
Ils’appelle - Henri.W1 932 Comment-ça?Comment-lesaismpsonoro,espr.
Aud.
Fr. Gen. propres-enfants.953
Sespropres-ls. mfpsub.
957
Fr. Gen. Alors, - essay-ons-devoirle
Fr. Gen. boutdecette-geurre. Pour pp lui. [THEGENERALmovesto shakehisson’shand.] 962
Aud. [AUDEBERTturnsaway. THEGENERALleaves.] [Lookingout,repeating,simply.]
[Fromthesideofthestage,aboxcarisrolledinwithHORSTMAYERandmanyoftheGermansoldiers. SomeoneplaysatuneontheharmonicabutstopswhentheKRONPRINZmarcheson.]
Sweeping,deeplyexpressive
h=52–60)
Kpr.
UnddieFeinde-desReichs vernich-ten. -
mfespr. Kpr. [HeshootsalookatHORSTMAYER.]
Hstm. Kpr. Ein [Exhausted,resigned,byrote.] guter-Deutscher. -
Was withmenace füreinDeutscher-sindSiedenn? [Cuttinghimoff.] Dasistalles.
[THEGERMANSOLDIERSlookateachotherindespair.Onepicksupaharmonicaandgently, awkwardly,startstoplaythemelodyof“MyHome’sNeverFarAway.”Anothersoldierbeginsto humalong,thentwo,thenmore(butnotall),astheboxcarsolemnlyrollsoff.]
Chor. [Thestageisempty.Nosoldiers.Nocorpses.Itslowlybeginstosnow. Fromoffstagetherearevoices.]
(fadesasboxcarrollsoffstage)
GERMANSOLDIER(Ten.) (off-stage,withreverb)