Mechem BEFANA libretto

Commissioned by the Cabrillo Choirs, Cheryl Anderson, conductor, and Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra, John Anderson, conductor

BEFANA: A CHRISTMAS FABLE Words and Music by Kirke Mechem

Opera in One Act or

Choral-Theater Cantata (may be staged, semi-staged or performed in concert) for

Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass soloists Mixed Chorus, Children’s Chorus Chamber Orchestra

libretto

G. SCHIRMER, Inc. New York

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Composer’s Note I have found more than a dozen different versions of the Befana legend, celebrated each year by Italian children and their families.

The stories have much in common, but each offers a different point of view. Mine is a distillation and expansion of the versions that most appeal to me. The only borrowed phrases are in the final stanza, which has been adapted from part of a poem by Phyllis McGinley (1905-1978), “The Ballad of Befana.” This was the poem that inspired me to find out more about this poignant legend.

Nearly every version of the parable shows Befana as an old woman in a small village. Her compulsive sweeping brings ridicule from the children of the villagers. She is visited by the Magi, on their way to Bethlehem to deliver gifts to the new-born Baby King. They invite her to join them, but she declares that she is too busy with her housework, and promises to join them later. When she realizes her mistake the next day, it is too late. Every year on Epiphany night Befana is doomed to fly on her broom with her gifts, searching for the baby. She leaves candy and gifts at every house where there are young children.

For the music to this folk legend I have chosen simplicity of expression. I have often used the styles of early music, especially Italian, including the ancient church modes. The introduction, for instance, is written almost entirely in the Phrygian mode, and is based upon the time-honored use of a descending scale.

The work is a reinvention of the 16th-century Italian madrigal comedies of Vecchi, Banchieri and others. Those were not always comedies — the name “madrigal comedy” was coined by a musicologist in the 20th century — but they were always stories with plots and various characters, using not only madrigals but other types of ensembles and soloists. Often called the precursors of opera, they were performed with staging and costumes, which can be used in Befana. The work offers many opportunities for imaginative projections, whether performed as opera or choral theater.

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Index Duration

Page (vocal score)

I. Introduction 3:00 min.

1 II. The Children 2:30 8 III. Arioso and Aria 6:40 17 IV. Procession 6:45 23 V. Befana Awakens 3:10 42 VI. Pastoral 4:00 46 VII. Befana’s Search 4:30 54 VIII. Finale 5:15 63 Total: ca. 36 minutes Running time (including intervals between scenes) ca. 40 min.

Singers Befana – mezzo or soprano The Magi (ideally representing three different races): King Kaspar – tenor King Melchior – baritone King Balthazar - bass Villagers – mixed chorus, SATB Children – SA chorus Shepherds – TB chorus (can be drawn from SATB chorus)

Chamber Orchestra Flute 2 Oboes 2 Clarinets in B-flat Bassoon 2 Horns in F Trumpet in C Trombone (tenor-bass) 1 Percussion player (includes 2 kettledrums) Harp Strings iv

SCENE 1: INTRODUCTION

Villagers (Mixed Chorus) Befana! Befana!

Behold, each Epiphany, Your endless flight, An eternal search In the deep of night.

Riding your broom With gifts to bring To the glorious Child, The newborn King.

Who is this spirit Of whom we sing, Who never can find The newborn King?

Befana! Befana!

O ancient wife Of ancient tales, Let us hear Of your travails.

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SCENE 2: The Children (Befana sweeps her porch, her steps, even the sidewalk out to the road, grumbling at the children who are in her way.)

Children (2-part chorus) Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!

Crazy old Befana!

Sweep with your broom!

Clean every room!

Sweep, sweep, Sweep in your sleep!

Crazy old Befana!

Befana Go, children, go!

I have no time for silly talk!

I’ve only time to sweep the walk, Make my bed!

Bake my bread!

Children Bake some cookies!

Befana, Befana!

Bake us some more cookies!

Befana You’ll get your cookies!

First, you must go!

There is no time to scrub the hall.

When will I ever wash the wall, Dust the chairs, Sweep the stairs!

Children Crazy old Befana!

Sweep, sweep, sweep!

But tell us, Befana, Why do you sing In your room all alone: Lullabies in mournful tones?

Befana (resumes sweeping) Never you mind!

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All of you are dear to me, But look how much I have to do!

Can’t you see?

I have no time for you!

(She continues sweeping, and the children go away, chanting and laughing. Befana enters her little house.)

SCENE 3: ARIOSO and ARIA, Befana How can children know my sorrow?

The sorrow of an old woman Who lost her child, Lost before he was ever born, And lost my husband, too, Long and long ago.

How can they know Why “crazy Befana” keeps her house so clean?

They would only laugh if they knew.

But I know.

I know in my heart That my child will return one day!

Yes! Miracles happen!

They do! They do!

He will be born at last.

And when he comes His home must be spotless.

All must be immaculate.

(She goes to her storage chest and takes out various items to admire.)

Here in this chest is everything That so long has awaited the child: Clothing, blankets and toys.

I have saved them all for that glorious day, That blessed hour when he shall come, When I shall sing him ancient songs And close his eyes with lullabies.

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SCENE 4: THE PROCESSION The Three Kings and their followers: Mixed Chorus; Children’s Chorus; Befana; King Kaspar, tenor; King Melchior, baritone; King Balthazar, bass.

(Befana hears the approach of a great procession, led by the village children.

She is too busy sweeping to take any interest in the visitors.)

Children and Villagers (Mixed Chorus) Befana, Befana, look here! See the grand procession: Children Elephants and camels! Monkeys and snakes!

Bears, and every kind of beast!

Tigers and lions! Musicians! Jugglers!

Hear the drums and the trumpets!

(The children move away to look at the animals) Villagers Marvelous wonders! What can it mean?

Who brings such great wonders, This glorious procession?

Men in jeweled robes and crowns upon their heads.

Three great kings! Crowns of precious gems!

(The kings arrive.)

Be welcome, ye three great kings!

From whence do you travel, And where are you bound for?

What brings you here on this great day?

The Three Kings (approaching Befana.)

Please, Good Woman, show us the way to Bethlehem.

Villagers To Bethlehem?! To Bethlehem?!

The Three Kings We go to Bethlehem to adore The new-born Holy Child, The Baby King.

Befana (sweeping) There are children enough right here.

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Kaspar But this is a special child — a King of Kings.

Love and peace to the world he will bring.

Befana I know nothing of kings.

Melchior Come with us, Madam.

We bring to the child great gifts, Gifts of gold, gifts of Frankincense and myrrh.

Befana I’m much too busy, Sir! Balthazar (stepping forth with great dignity) Our wisest sages prophesy A bright new star in the Eastern sky will show us the way.

Befana (still sweeping) I work myself both night and day And have no time to look for stars.

All Three Kings You must come with us, Good Woman!

Bring the child a humble gift, For he will change the world.

He will help the poor, uplift The weary and the sick at heart.

He will lighten earthly care, Comfort suffering everywhere.

Villagers Alleluia!

(Befana sweeps more slowly as the kings and procession go on their way. She becomes tired, and repeats to herself the words of the kings as she goes inside to her bed.)

Befana “ . . . help the poor?” God knows I’m poor enough.

“Weary and sick at heart.”. . . It’s very strange.

“Love and peace?” . . . (slowly) “A bright new star?”

She falls asleep.)

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SCENE 5: Befana awakens.

(While Befana sleeps, a light gradually comes in the window. As it becomes so bright that it fills the room, she goes to the window and looks out.)

Befana A star! An enormous, beautiful star!

The kings have spoken truth!

This is the miracle I have waited for!

Dear God, I have made a terrible mistake.

Of course! My baby was taken from me For this very marvel: To be reborn as the King of Love!

Yes! I will go to him!

He will help the poor, Uplift the weary and sick at heart.

This must be my child.

I will go to him!

SCENE 6: Pastoral The shepherds (2-part male chorus) enter.

Befana Greetings, shepherds. You have travelled far.

Shepherds We follow the great new eastern star, A most miraculous thing!

It leads us on to Bethlehem.

To welcome the new-born King.

Will you not join us?

Befana O yes, I’ll come!

As soon as my work is done!

But first I have to sweep the floor, Bake some bread.

Surely his second mother will need some bread.

What good to her are frankincense and myrrh?”

Shepherds But please, Befana, don’t delay!

The baby will not stay in Bethlehem.

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Befana Yes, yes, I’ll come!

But first I need a gift for the child.

Shepherds We cannot wait, Befana!

Befana What will the mother need?

Of course! Clothing, blankets, toys: Saved for my child’s return.

(The shepherds slowly prepare to leave.)

Shepherds Farewell then, Befana. We must move on. . .

Befana Yes, yes, I’ll come.

Shepherds . . . to Bethlehem, to greet the child. (moving away) Befana But still I have to dust the chairs, . . .

Shepherds Farewell, Befana.

Befana (seizing her broom) . . . bring in the wood, sweep the stairs.

But I will come!

(She sweeps up to the door of her house, and goes in.)

Shepherds (from a distance, unseen) Befana, farewell.

(Music marks the time that passes before the following scene).

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SCENE 7: Befana’s Search

Children’s Chorus Befana! Befana!

You have waited too long!

Villagers (Mixed Chorus) Her gifts in a bag, To Bethlehem bound, Her weary legs fail her; She falls to the ground.

Children’s Chorus A miracle!

Both Choruses It is a miracle!

Children’s Chorus Her tears have brought Her broom to life.

It flies through the sky With the ancient wife.

Villagers Alas! Alas!

Too long did she wait!

She searches on to this very day.

But she never can find Where the Christ Child lay.

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SCENE 8, FINALE: Mixed Chorus, Children’s Chorus, Three Kings, Shepherds, Befana All except Befana Every year through winters wild She visits every sleeping child With precious gifts her heart alone Has made for a child — her very own.

Befana’s search is not in vain.

Nor is the tale of which we sing: For every mother here on earth, Every child is a newborn king.

Befana (apart from the others, as a spirit) Still I must wander at Christmastide, Houseless, whose house was all my pride.

My heart was tardy, my gifts were late; I wander, and knock at every gate, Crying, Good people, the bells begin!

Put off your toiling and let love in.

All (All soloists and choral singers take part in this final chorus.)

The bells begin to ring!

Good people, good people!

The bells begin!

Put off your toiling And let love in.

End of the opera

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