LETTERS FROM RUTH Piano Vocal Score (english) by Musik und Bühne

Piano Vocal Score (engl.)

LETTERS FROM RUTH

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(RUTH MAIER)

A musical by

GISLE KVERNDOKK (Music & Libretto) and

AKSEL-OTTO BULL (Libretto)

Based on “Ruth Maier´s Diary - A Jewish Girl´s Life in Nazi Europe“ (edited by Jan Erik Vold)

Distribution by:

Musik und Bühne Verlagsgesellschaft mbH

Bahnhofstraße 44-46 | 65185 Wiesbaden, Germany

e-mail: post@musikundbuehne.de Internet: www.musikundbuehne.de

im Auftrag von STÜCKEKONTOR

MB/JW GbR

Hierzu zählen insbesondere das Recht der Übersetzung, Verfilmung und Übertragung durch Rundfunk, Fernsehen und sonstige Medien, der mechanischen Vervielfältigung und der Vertonung (Neuvertonung), die Verwendung zu Bühnenzwecken, Vorlesungen und Aufführungen, gleich ob von Amateur- oder Profibühnen sowie anderen Interessenten.

Text, Komposition sowie Text- und Musikmaterial des Bühnenwerks werden Bühnen / Veranstaltern ausschließlich für Zwecke der Aufführung nach Maßgabe des jeweiligen Aufführungsvertrags zur Verfügung gestellt. Jede darüber hinausgehende Verwertung von Text und /oder Musikmaterial des Bühnenwerks bedarf der ausdrücklichen vorherigen Zustimmung des Verlags. Das gilt insbesondere für dessen Vervielfältigung, Verbreitung, elektronische Verarbeitung, Übermittlung an Dritte und Speicherung über die Laufzeit des Aufführungsvertrags hinaus. Die vorstehenden Sätze gelten entsprechend, wenn Bühnen / Veranstaltern der Text oder das Musikmaterial des Bühnenwerks ohne vorherigen Abschluss eines Aufführungsvertrages zur Ansicht zur Verfügung gestellt wird. Weitere Einzelheiten richten sich nach den zwischen Bühnen / Veranstaltern und Verlag getroffenen Vereinbarungen.

Dieser Text und die damit verbundene Komposition gilt bis zum Tag der Uraufführung / deutschsprachigen Erstaufführung / bis zur Erstübersetzung / der Neuübersetzung als nicht veröffentlicht im Sinne des Urheberrechtsgesetzes. Es ist nicht gestattet, vor diesem Zeitpunkt das Werk oder einzelne Teile daraus zu beschreiben oder seinen Inhalt in sonstiger Weise öffentlich mitzuteilen oder sich öffentlich mit ihm auseinanderzusetzen.

Nicht vom Verlag genehmigte Verwertungen verletzen das Urheberrecht und können zivilrechtliche und ggf. auch strafrechtliche Folgen nach sich ziehen.

Als unverkäufliches Manuskript vervielfältigt. Dieses Material darf weder verkauft, noch verliehen, noch sonst irgendwie weitergegeben werden.

Wird das Stück nicht zur Aufführung angenommen, so ist das Manuskript umgehend zurückzusenden an:

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Musik und Bühne Verlagsgesellschaft mbH Bahnhofstraße 44-46 | 65185 Wiesbaden

e-mail: post@musikundbuehne.de Internet: www.musikundbuehne.de

Characters:

The parts can be played by an ensemble of at least 9; 6 women and 3 men,or 5 women and 4 men.

Ideal cast would be an ensemble of 11: 8 women and 3 men. There are many possibilities for role combinations (See suggestions next page).

Ruth Maier – app. 20 years – mezzo/soprano

Gunvor Hofmo – app. 20 years – mezzo

Judith, Ruth Maier’s sister – app. 17 years - soprano

The Mother – app. 45 years - mezzo

Professor Williger – Ruth´s Latin teacher – app. 50/60 yearsbaritone

Herman Thimig – actor at the Burgtheater – app. 45 yearstenor

Mr. Strøm – app. 45 years - tenor

Gustav Vigeland, sculptor - app. 70 years - baritone

A male publisher – speaking role

A boy at school - tenor

A man on the platform – speaking role

Two German SS-men - dumb roles

A young Jewish man – dumb role

Patient 1 - mezzo

Patient 2 – soprano

Patient 3 – soprano

Pupil 1 (Per), in Oslo - speaking role

Pupil 2, in Oslo - speaking role

A young horny man/boy - tenor

A Finnish soldier - tenor

His friend - speaking role

Bjørg, a friend (woman) – dumb role

Mrs. Strøm – dumb role

A radio voice – speaking role

A voice, Questionnaire for Jews – speaking role

A woman in the synagogue – dumb role

2 Norwegian policemen – dumb role

Ensemble: Women in the work camp at Biri, Men singing in the synagogue, other friends (women), pupils, people in the streets of Vienna, German soldiers, Norwegian girls etc.

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“Ruth Maier’s Diary” is a selection of her surviving diaries, letters and notes from 1933 to 1942. Her texts have been edited for the sanctity of private live and to create a unified work of literature. Jan Erik Vold’s editorial work and Ruth Maier’s texts constitute an invisible whole. Copyrights for the international editions of “Ruth Maier’s Diary” are shared by Judith Suschitzky, who is the sister of Ruth Maier, and Jan Erik Vold. Judith Suschitzky has donated her copyright earnings to Amnesty International.

A possible casting (8 female - 3 men:

Sopran/Mezzo: Ruth Maier

Mezzo: Gunvor Hofmo

1st soprano: Judith, Ensemble

2nd soprano: Mrs. Strøm, 2nd patient, Woman in the work camp at Biri, Woman in the synagogue, Ensemble

3rd soprano: 3rd patient , A friend, Ensemble

1st Mezzo: 1st patient, A friend, Ensemble

2nd Mezzo: The mother, Ensemble

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Alto: Pupil 2, Bjørg, Woman in the work camp at Biri, A friend, Ensemble

1st Tenor: Hermann Thimig, Mr. Strøm, A Publisher, A German SS-man, A Finnish soldier, Ensemble

2nd Tenor: A boy, A young Jewish man, Pupil 1 (Per), A young horny man/boy, The Finnish soldier´s friend, A man on the platform, A Norwegian policeman, Ensemble

Baritone: Professor Williger, Gustav Vigeland, A radio voice, A voice/Questionnaire for Jews, A German SS-man, A Norwegian policeman, Ensemble

The cast at the world premiere, Musical Frühling in Gmunden, Austria, March 31., 2023:

5 women and 4 men:

Soprano/Mezzo: Ruth Maier

Mezzo: Gunvor Hofmo

1st soprano: Judith, A friend, Ensemble.

2nd soprano: Mrs Strøm, 2nd patient, A friend, Woman in the work camp at Biri, Woman in the synagogue, Ensemble.

Mezzo: The mother, 3rd patient, A friend, Woman in the work camp at Biri, Ensemble

1.Tenor: Hermann Thimig, Herr Strøm, Gustav Vigeland, A voice/Questionnaire for Jews, A Norwegian policeman, Ensemble.

2.Tenor: A boy, A young horny boy, A Norwegian policeman, A German SS man, The Finnish soldier's friend, Ensemble.

3.Tenor: The publishing editor, A young Jewish man, A man on the platform, Student 1 (Per), A voice on the radio, A Finnish soldier, Ensemble.

Baritone: Professor Williger, 1st Patient (falsetto), Ensemble.

In this version, the role of the 1st Patient (act 2, scene 5) was played as a transgender person, sung by a male voice in falsetto. The mother's lines in this scene (act 2,scene 5) were performed by Ruth. Bjørg was not visible in this scene, but was referred to off stage.

The start of act 2, scene 6, the dialogue between the mother and Judith, was performed off stage.

All the women in the ensemble were in the "Hitch-hiking scene", act 2, scene 6.

In act 1, scene 7, one SS man was played by a stage technician.

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"Letters from Ruth"

Book and lyrics by Aksel-Otto Bull & Gisle Kverndokk

based on "Ruth Maier's Diary" by Jan

Erik Vold

PROLOGUE

(Oslo, 1953.

Act 1

No. 1: Prologue - Scene 1 - 2

Music by Gisle Kverndokk 2013 - 2014

We see the editor of a publishing house, a man, facing the audience. He hands Gunvor Hofmo a book, or some well used books and other things. Gunvor is standing with her back towards the audience. She receives the book(-s).)

THE EDITOR:No, Gunvor Hofmo, we cannot publish these diaries from your... (He hesitates:) ...Girlfriend.This material is far too private for that. You should rather concentrate on your own writing. You are a very gifted poet!

(The publishing editor disappears. The music starts. Gunvor is facing the audience.

Poco Moderato q = 60

& ? 4 4 4 4

Ruth's Voice: “I think it's just as well that it has come to this. Why shouldn´t we suffer when there is so much suffering?

Do not worry about me.

I might not have switched with you.”

GUNVOR:

We see the photograph from the Akershus pier in 1942, where GUNVOR HOFMO stands at the right in the crowd, looking at the ship SS DONAU, as it is leaving the dock.

After a while the projection starts to live. THE PEOPLE leave the pier. GUNVOR is left alone. We hear the voice of RUTH:)

On a rainy night like this you feel as if she's returned, a Jewish girlfriend they killed, she whose body they burned along with thousands of others.

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Scene 1

(GUNVOR is opening the diary and reads. She is on stage, as a narrator, during act 1, until she enters the action in scene 16.)

GUNVOR:

Vienna, the 16th of October, 1934....

The world isn't evil, because if it were evil, then one would ask: How does the good come into the world? (RUTH´s voice is heard, she appears in the distance.

GUNVOR continues reading.)

GUNVOR/RUTH:

I would very much like to be famous. I don't want to just fall off the edge like a bolt from a machine.

4 3 4 3

RUTH: (Isolated in light:) People disappear. I want to live! And leave something behind, a document saying that I was there. A great, beautiful work of

Scene 2

GUNVOR:

(The stage transforms to a classroom in Vienna. RUTH MAIER sits at a desk and is diligently writing in her diary. It is between two classes and THE OTHER SCHOOLMATES are wandering around. RUTH writes.)

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(RUTH manages to get the diary back and runs out, crying.)

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JUDITH: (Enters.) Ruth! Mama wants to talk to you. (She stops.) What´s wrong with you?

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RUTH: Yes! To someone like Papa!

JUDITH: (Laughs:) And what do you want to call your children?

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Judith: Like papa? Ruth:

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Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull & Gisle Kverndokk

(Their MOTHER enters, in a beautiful dress with dots. JUDITH hugs her MOTHER.)

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"Letters

(The phone rings, the MOTHER answers.)

THE MOTHER: Hello, darling!

RUTH: “Hello, darling!” ! I'm already tracking him down.

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THE MOTHER: What is it, darling? Ruth: Do not ’darling’ me!!

THE MOTHER: I'll meet you by the opera at five! (She hangs up.)

RUTH: (mocking her MOTHER:) ”I'll meet you by the opera at five!

Poco Mosso q = 112

(The MOTHER steps back.)

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THE MOTHER: You cried in your sleep. Did you have bad dreams? (She kisses Ruth.)

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GUNVOR: (Reading from the diary:) Vienna, Saturday 14th of March 1936.

RUTH: To night I'm going to the Burgtheater to see ”King Lear”. With Herman Thimig as the fool. I´m quite crazy about Herman Thimig!

Maestoso

Scene 4

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull & Gisle Kverndokk

(THIMIG enters, as the fool, sings text from ”King Lear”, act 3, scene 2.)

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Ruth: (To the audience:)

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GUNVOR: - And I like him a very much.

(Professor WILLIGER enters and is reaching out his hand. The scene with THIMIG dissolves.)

GUNVOR: (Reading from the diary:)

I have met a new person. His name is -.

Andante sostenuto

(RUTH and WILLIGER meet and shake hands.)

Pro fes sor Her bert Wil li ger!

Six teen years, my child, when you are

teen your life comes in to be ing.

GUNVOR: (Reading:) Because I was weak in latin, Mama found a privat teacher for me. Dr. Brauchbar told me what a genius, what a talented and wise man this professor Williger was.

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4 2 4 2 4 2

Pla

Ruth; do you like beau ti ful flo wers?

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gave us some choco late. And kissed

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GUNVOR: (Reads:) A person who wants the

GUNVOR: (Reading from the diary:) I know he wants the best

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Andante sostenuto q = 56

WILLIGER: (Holding up a pencil:) You left this one, you have bitten on it... (pointing:) Here! I will keep this.

Look away, Ruth. p

look at me,

Rit.

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GUNVOR: (Reading:) Vienna, Sunday 14th of November,

GUNVOR: (Reading:) Maybe someone will read this after my death?

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GUNVOR: (Reading:) Why am I thinking so much about death? Maybe because I fear that I never will have accomplished anything. Strange, huh?

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GUNVOR: (Reading:) Tomorrow I am going to the Burgtheater. Thimig is playing a wood-fairy.

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Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull & Gisle Kverndokk

(A young well-dressed Jewish MAN is walking down the street, carrying a violin-case. Two SS-MEN enter. One of them is hitting the young MAN, a box on the ear, and then the other one is doing the same. The young MAN is stumbling, holding on to his head and walks away. Ruth witnesses this.)

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GUNVOR: (Reading from the diary:)

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& & & V

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Red, the Jew will

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GUNVOR: (Reading from the diary:) Vienna, Friday 11th of November, 1938. RUTH: Yesterday, my 18th birthday, was the most horrible day of my life. Now I know what humans are capable of doing. Humans, created in the image of God.

Violin solo

Andante Cantabile q = 66

(We hear a solitary violin playing. The young Jewish MAN is playing.)

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Ruth: A Jew is playing the violin in the neighborhood. Despite pogromes and brutality, the Jew in the neighborhood will play the violin.

Thimig: (HERMANN

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(Judith is leaving Vienna.)

GUNVOR: (Reading from the diary:) Vienna, Friday 9th of December, 1938. Dita is leaving tomorrow. For England. To a camp for Jewish children, refugees: Away from here. Away from me.

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

(On a platform, at Hütteldorf train station, Vienna)

RUTH: Dita! I will miss you. Miss you, miss you!

Agitato q = 80 p

(JUDITH and the MOTHER are hugging each other, while RUTH is watching them. Then she hugs them both.)

rep. ad lib.

A MAN: (Shouts:) Number 258! THE MOTHER: (Answers him:) Yes! Here!

RUTH: (To Judith:) There you go; now you are only a number.

JUDITH: Oh, no, I am still Judith Maier. (She leaves. Then she turns around:) Mama!

(The MOTHER runs to her, but the MAN stops her.) A MAN: Don´t make it more difficult!

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RUTH: (Shouting to JUDITH:) Live beautifully, Dita! Only you are LIFE!

JUDITH: (Shouting back:)

GUNVOR: (Reading:) Sunday 11th of December. Writing a diary is horrible. Horrible. On the previous page it is written: Dita is leaving tomorrow. And today:

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Empty streets. Broken glass shimmers in the

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GUNVOR: (Reading from the diary.)

It is Christmas Eve. I walked through the streets... Snow.

They have painted ”Jew”, only that. At another shop: ”Go to Dachau, you bastard.”

In the windows above, the Christmas lights are lit. Christmas Eve in Hitler´s Germany.

GUNVOR: (Reading:) Throughout my schoolyears, I loved Lizzy Kantor.

Ruth: She never knew.

Scene 10

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk / Ruth Maier

& ? 4 3 4 3

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GUNVOR: (Reading, the first letter to JUDITH.) Vienna, Thursday 19th of January, 1939. Dearest Dita!

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(RUTH and her MOTHER is hugging, saying farewell at the train station - and RUTH is travelling to Norway. Maybe we see RUTH, the MOTHER and JUDITH - each of them isolated in separate lights on stage.

The ENSEMBLE is singing Ruth´s poem ”Impressionistic image”:)

Poco Moderato q = 100

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Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

(RUTH is in her room, in Lillestrøm. She is writing a letter to JUDITH.)

cue: Judith: ...Smoking his pipe and speaking German to me.

. Yesterday he danced a waltz with me... (cont'd)

Slow Waltz q = 120 p

...which is my only proper occupation.

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JUDITH: (Reading:) Please, don´t think that I am dreaming of Williger anymore. I can assure you that by mail!

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RUTH: A man in the house! Is not to be underrated!

(Mr. STRØM is entering, with a vacuum cleaner.)

(Mr. STRØM jokes and is clumsy. RUTH is laughing her guts out. Mr. STRØM whistles. RUTH takes over the vacuum cleaner and Mr. STRØM is relieved.)

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Mr. STRØM: Tomorrow we are going to Oslo.

I think it´s because of my chronic unsatisfied need for love.

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Judith Ruth

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Judith Ruth

& & & ?

(They long for each other.)

& & ?

Bang! But that isn´t very much likely now!

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RUTH: Dear Dittl; If I shall wish you something ...something solid, I wish that the whole of Germany, Hitler and his consorts suddenly explode!

(Mr. STRØM is knocking on RUTH´s door.)

Mr. STRØM: Ruth, are you asleep? Come and see the northern light.

(They go to the window. Standing there, looking at the northern light together. Mr. STRØM is getting a blanket, putting it around RUTH´s shoulders.)

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Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

(Ruth at school, in Oslo.)

Poco Allegro q = 120

& & 4 3 4 3

GUNVOR: (Reading:)

I start school in August, and in June 1941 I will do my graduation.

RUTH: I don´t know what is best: To stay in Norway or go to England.

(A loud discussion in the classroom.)

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(RUTH is trying to say something, but is hushed down. The PUPILS are going out. RUTH wants to stay in, to write in her diary, but can´t find her pencil.)

RUTH: (To one of the other pupils:) May I borrow a pencil, please? (Dialog cont'd.)

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GUNVOR: ... instead of wandering around by myself.

(Holding up a book:)

RUTH: (Eager:) Have you read Trotsky? (Dialogue cont'd)

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Ruth: ... You have to read Trotsky! (Mr. STRØM kisses RUTH.)

GUNVOR: (Reading:) When I think about it now, it was very nice.

But at the time!! I lost my head. Wanted to run away. You know what; That night I put an armchair in front of the door, and had a pair of scissors by my bed. I was terrified of Mr. Strøm´s hands, and for that matter; his whole body.

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GUNVOR: (Reading:) The walks in the sunshine have come to an end. And for kissing the cheek and patting the hair as well.

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Dittl, there is something more than noble thoughts about socialism and the persecution of Jews... You see? There is something called “your body”.

(RUTH is sitting on a bench. PER, PUPIL 1, from her class is standing and watching her. Pause. A tension builds up, then he says:)

Scene 14

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk / Ruth Maier

PER: Jews are not allowed here.

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(We see JUDITH and the MOTHER embrace in England. RUTH runs towards them, but they are out of reach and they can´t see her.)

(Simultaneously

is reading from the diary:)

GUNVOR:(Reading:) You know, Dittl, lately I´ve longed so much for you both. Just the thought of Musch´s hands makes me cry. You know what? I´m looking immensely forward to seeing you again. You know how it will be like?

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GUNVOR: (Reading:) Lillestrøm,

Ensemble: (Female Voices) "Spring Night" - Poem by Ruth Maier

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& ?

Scene 16: Finale Act 1

"To a Girlfriend" / "Beauty Around Us"

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Ruth Maier / B. S. Ingemann / Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

2 2 2 2

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than 14 and a half, who can get away, are urged to join a voluntary work-camp this year... (cont'd)

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Newsreel/Radio Voice: ... If you have a sleepingbag, bring it with you!

(Christmas

A WOMAN: ...And therefore let us tonight, on this Chistmas Eve here at Biri, in the year 1940, sing... (Dialogue cont'd)

Ruth: ... People, they are both good and evil... (cont'd)

"Letters

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(The WOMAN who didn't want to sing ”Beauty around us” is now starting to sing, and one after the other, PEOPLE are joining her. During Ruth's monologue, Gunvor enters the scene. GUNVOR and RUTH see each other for the first time. RUTH is very aware of GUNVOR.)

"Beauty Around US" by B. S. Ingemann

Translation by S. D. Rodholm

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"To

a Girlfriend" - Poem by Ruth Maier

When I stepped back for the first time,

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that

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When

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When

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That

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End Act 1

Lyrics:

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(Letter to England. We see JUDITH in a separate light, reading a

JUDITH: (Reading:) Dear Dita. I'm in a winter-camp at Biri... (cont'd)

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GUNVOR: What's wrong with you?

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GUNVOR: Ruth, are you coming with us to a café?... (Dialogue cont'd)

(To the audience:)

GUNVOR: Are you coming?

RUTH: No, I don´t think so...

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(GUNVOR leaves and RUTH cries.)

cest

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(GUNVOR turns to RUTH.) RUTH: I want to sketch you!

Lyrics:

cue: Gunvor: ... Should I break up with him?

RUTH: Yes!

Music:

Scene 3

Poco Moderato h = 60 GUNVOR: Ah, I am an idiot telling you all of this... (dialogue cont'd.)

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RUTH: ... C’est tout!

(They laugh.)

(RUTH is isolated in a separate light. She´s having a nervous breakdown. She´s holding on to her head, intensely, as if she is screaming. Then complete silence.)

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Gunvor helped me when I got ill.

I´ll never forget her for that.

She went with me to see the doctor. It didn´t surprise me; the cause was a kind of illness on my mind.

That´s what you get for having done the latin course!

Andante con moto q = 60 (GUNVOR enters, embracing RUTH.)

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Ruth: (Speaks to the audience:) Finally I was courageous enough to show her my love.

(They climb into bed together. RUTH is caressing GUNVOR´s hand.)

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RUTH: Hush. Don´t ask.

GUNVOR:

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(RUTH is

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(RUTH is a patient in the psychiatric ward of the Ullevål hospital. RUTH is in bed. She´s sketching and sketching. A fellow PATIENT comes in and sings:)

& # # # 4 3

You were Poco Moderato q = 100 p

Scene 5

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

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(RUTH walks over to her and embraces her. PATIENT 3 enters:)

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(The situation changes. RUTH is sitting in her bed, writing to her mother and sister.)

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Ruth: You must excuse me for writing about her. She means so much to me.

& & 4 4 4 4 4 4

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Dittl, it pleases me that you like van Gogh. You should definitely

(Judith:) ...read his letters to his brother.

Sostenuto q =

(GUNVOR enters. GUNVOR and RUTH see each other. RUTH is delighted.)

(Then she discovers that GUNVOR isn´t alone. BJØRG is there too, one of the other girls from the work-camp.)

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GUNVOR: Look, I´m sorry I´m not alone, like we agreed. I met Bjørg when I came here.

(They sit down. They seem distant to each other. They watch each other carefully. PATIENT 1 enters, watching them, and sings:)

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Andante con moto q = 60 (GUNVOR enters, alone. They embrace.)

wo man's knee, but the

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GUNVOR: Ruth, you need not despair.

GUNVOR: I´m going back to Biri again.

RUTH: No! Stay here with

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(GUNVOR embraces RUTH, who is clinging to her as in unspeakable horror.)

(PATIENT 3 enters, with heavy steps. Then Patient 2. They are standing watching GUNVOR and RUTH, who dissolve their embrace.)

GUNVOR: (Hurrying a bit:) I will write to you. And we we´ll go hitchhiking in the spring.

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(They part. PATIENT 2+3 is following GUNVOR as she leaves, PATIENT 2 humming her theme. If possible: We see JUDITH and the MOTHER in a separate light in the background. )

(RUTH is in her bed, writing a letter to them. The MOTHER is reading the letter, or RUTH is reading while she’s writing.)

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THE MOTHER / RUTH: (Reading:) Dear Musch; if you love me, then you also have to love Gunvor.

RUTH:

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(She draws. Stops. She's packing her suitcase.)

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(The three PATIENTS enter. They are standing watching RUTH, who is packing. )

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(To Mr. STRØM:) What shall I do to get out of Norway?

MR. STRØM: You have to wait.

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Scene 6 : "The Hitch Hiker Song"

cue: JUDITH: ”Tomorrow I´m going hitchhiking with Gunvor and some other girls.”

What is that, Mama?

Boogie Woogie Tempo h = 92 Swing â's

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Ruth Maier

RUTH: Day one: Sinsen tramstation, 9th of June: We try to get a lift!

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RUTH: Next day: Vinstra: We

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& & & ?

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cue: RUTH: Suddenly, like over night, autumn is here.

The nights are already dark.

Poco Andante q = 60

Musikk: Gisle Kverndokk

Tekst: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

And I don't see Gunvor during the night, when she's laying by my side, like a little child. I only feel her mouth and her delicate skin, and hear her:

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GUNVOR: Come! It's so nice when you are laying here by me. So safe.

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(RUTH turns to GUNVOR, caressing her forehead and kisses her. She sits on the bed, or gets into bed with GUNVOR.)

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NOTFOR

SCENE 8B

(GUNVOR joins RUTH.)

GUNVOR: (Suddenly:) Today is the last time I walk with you in town... (cont'd) ... RUTH: I have to go. Go!

(She wants to go. GUNVOR is holding her back, but RUTH gets away and runs off. She stops. Listening, but no one is following her…)

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(A flashback, to Trondheim:)

RUTH: In Trondheim, I remember it well. ... (cont'd.) ... I was distressed and upset. rep. ad lib.

(RUTH gets up, as if she's leaving. GUNVOR stops her.)

GUNVOR: Seriously! ...(cont'd.)

(She's exploding, throwing herself at GUNVOR, wanting to strangle her, letting go after a while.) ...cue: RUTH: Shut up!

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Trond heim, yes, on that dus ty, old bench.

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(RUTH looks out of the window. Moonshine. GUNVOR disappears. We see RUTH´s sister, JUDITH, in a separate light.)

Judith Ruth

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Allegro con brio q = 120

Scene 9

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

(RUTH in GUSTAV VIGELAND's studio. She is modelling for the sculpture,"Surprised." GUSTAV VIGELAND is standing looking at her.)

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"Mother and Child", "Man with a woman on his lap," the Camilla Collett monument, the statue of Wergeland...

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But I don't have the impression that he is a wise man. (Looks back at him.)

RUTH: (To the audience:)

By the way. It is ok again between Gunvor and me. Well, here's what happened: We were at school... (cont'd)

(She laughs.) And you like drama, it reminds you of the theatre, right?... (cont'd.)

...I followed her out into the hall.

(GUNVOR enters.)

RUTH: I need to talk to you.

... GUNVOR: I can't help being like that.

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... RUTH: I forgive you. I forgive you everything.

4 4 4 4 4 4

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(Back to GUSTAV VIGELAND's studio. He has been talking all the time.)

But you know, Miss Mai er,

(Going over to him, seductively:)

To day, on the

train, there was

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(She laughs and starts to undress.)

(He makes a sudden move, is about to embrace her. She stops him.)

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RUTH: But, honestly, Mr. Vigeland. Shouldn't we work?

(RUTH is smiling, then isolated in a separate light. Maybe while she gets dressed.)

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cue: GUNVOR: ...Writing is for me a necessity. As I know it is for you as well.

RUTH: No, I'm just vain! I only want to know as much as everyone else.

"Letters from Ruth"

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

"The words": Poem by Gunvor Hofmo

Poco Moderato q = 60 p a Tempo

Gunvor:

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Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

(RUTH is on a train. TWO MEN enter. One is Finnish. He seems drunk, waving his arms. Speaking an unknown language. Some German occasionally) Cue: MAN 1: We come from Finland. People think he's drunk. But he's got a nerve shock.

Moderato q = 100

& ? 4 4 4 4

(RUTH is quiet. THE FINNISH MAN continues to talk in a confusing way.)

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(He is hiding his face in his hands, suddenly excited, gives a military salute, laughing scornfully. Suddenly he is quiet. Staring with a flickering glance into the air. He cries.)

(He cries. Arms hanging loose. Then he sits up and looks at RUTH.)

(He pretends that he charges a rifle. Suddenly he falls back in the seat.)

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(THE FINNISH MAN on the train takes RUTH´S hand, a farewell. He and his friend exit. RUTH is alone.)

"Letters

from Ruth"

Avinu Malkeinu - "Nothing exists"

Lyrics: Trad. / Ruth Maier

(In a synagogue. We hear the Hebrew prayer ”Avinu Malkeinu”, a prayer for peace. RUTH is isolated from the others, singing her own poem "Nothing exists" over this. RUTH is clearly maladaptive, she feels like a stranger. But she still wants to be one of them.)

Poco Andante q. = 44

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b b b b b

V ? & ?

b b b b b

b b b b b 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

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4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

V ? & ?

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Finale

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto

cue: ...GUNVOR: Ruth!

RUTH: I am a Jewess. I will stand by them, whatever happens.

Poco moderato (q = 72)

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RUTH: I remember one evening. You were going to the theater. How we enjoyed that word.

(RUTH, from her text "A Memory." At the same time we may see her MOTHER and SISTER in a separate light, and maybe also the father?...)

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Andante Cantabile q = 66

A twilight in the room and you in the front of the mirror.

You were wearing your dress, Mama, the one with white dots.

We sneaked us up your long legs and said: Mama, how pretty you are!

You smiled. Papa was standing behind. Young and very different from when he was dead.

He was waiting and you, you were standing in front of the mirror.

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Scene 15B

(In her room. Night. RUTH is writing in the diary.)

Ruth: (Writing:) Oslo, November, 1942. Once everything will end and then everything will be good.

It's like a restless trembling in my chest. A grudge: What are you? What do you live for?

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(Knocking on the door. TWO POLICEMEN enter. This is what happens, but the audience cannot hear what is being said:

POLICEMAN: Ruth Maier? RUTH: Yes. POLICEMAN: You are arrested. You are allowed to pack the essentials. Move on! )

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(RUTH walks slowly around, packing some books and some clothes. She is resigned. THE POLICEMEN are leading RUTH, with her suitcase, towards the door.

Then she stops and opens the suitcaseShe takes out her diary and leaves it behind.)

RUTH: I will never come back.

(She turns and is being led out by the two POLICEMEN. GUNVOR walks over and takes up the book, holding it tightly to her chest.)

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GUNVOR:

You hear her sad, gentle voice as if it was there in the mist, questioning without complaint, as if she would still exist:

RUTH'S VOICE:

Warum sollen wir nicht leiden wenn so viel leid ist?

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(After the last chord in the music, we hear the voice of YOUNG RUTH:)

I want to leave something behind! A document saying that I was there! A great, beautiful work of art!

The End Gisle Kverndokk, Majorstua, 14. october 2014 Revised, English Version February 1., 2017

Moderato fluente q = 132

Exit Music

Music: Gisle Kverndokk

Lyrics: Aksel-Otto Bull / Gisle Kverndokk

& ?

b b b b 2 2 2 2