SOUNZ

Philip Norman

A Christmas Carol

Duration: 1h 45' 00" Year: 1993
an opera for an ensemble of principals, chorus, dancers and orchestra

Instrumentation
2121; 2200; percussion; timpani; 2 keyboards; strings

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David Farquhar

A Unicorn For Christmas

Duration: 2h 00' 00" Year: 1962
an opera in three acts

Instrumentation
10 singers, childrens' chorus, orchestra: 2121; 2200; perc., pno; strings
Programme Note

A Christmas opera in 3 acts, based on a Ngaio Marsh play, and including audience participation in a number of carols.
Availability
- Farquhar: A Unicorn for Christmas; facsimile
  
  Full score | Hardcopy - facsimile
  
  $75.00
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- Farquhar: A Unicorn for Christmas; facsimile
  
  Vocal score | Hardcopy - facsimile
- Farquhar: A Unicorn for Christmas
  
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Kit Powell

Christophorus

Duration: 45' 00" Year: 1981, r. 1982
Christmas cantata for baritone, children's chorus, wind orchestra and percussion

Instrumentation
Solo baritone, childrens' chorus Orchestra: 2222; 2220; timp., perc.(2), pno, organ; no strings. Uses slide projections
Programme Note

The first version was written in 1981 collectively with Andre Fischer, a pupil at the Kantonsschule Zürcher Unterland in Bülach. It is a setting of words from an advent calendar by Max Bolliger. It is scored for baritone soloist (Christophorus), children’s chorus and wind orchestra, with percussion. The work was performed twice in December 1981.

Christophorus tells the story of St. Christopher, a very strong man, who is searching for an ogre who rules the world. Each year, instead of finding the ogre, he finds a child in distress. In the eighth year, still searching, he meets Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. During the night, when Jesus is born, the child speaks to him and says he has met the ogre seven times already. Christophorus now knows what the ogre is, but is much less sure of his ability to conquer lt.

The characters of and the children whom he meets are dressed in costume, but do not act. The Cantata is, however, illustrated by a series of slides which are shown during the whole performance.

In 1982 in Christchurch I revised Christophorus and translated the text into English. It was performed for a season before Christmas of that year, with James Dames singing the part of Christophorus. This revised version has double wind, piano, organ and three percussionists, plus the children’s chorus. A recording was made.
Availability
- Powell: Christophorus; facsimile
  
  Score and parts | Hardcopy - facsimile
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John Rimmer

Galileo

Duration: 1h 30' 00" Year: 1998
a chamber opera using for 6 singers, small chorus and 8 players, also using electroacoustic music and DVD of visuals

Score Sample

Video Sample

Instrumentation
Television newsreader (spoken voice), Nobelman (baritone), Castelli (tenor), Galileo (baritone), Boy/Angel (mezzo soprano), Three Priests (tenor/baritones), Heretic (baritone), Christina (soprano), Military Man (baritone), Sea Captain (baritone), Troubadour (mezzo soprano), Cardinal Bellarmino (tenor), Pope Urban VIII (bass baritone), Pope John Paul II (baritone), small chorus of townspeople; flute doubling piccolo, oboe, clarinet doubling bass clarinet, horn, piano, percussion, violin and cello. Electroacoustic music played through at least eight loudspeakers. DVD of visuals.
Availability
- Rimmer: Galileo; electroacoustic part
  
  Part - recorded | CD
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- Rimmer: Galileo; computer-set
  
  Vocal score | Pdf - computer set
- Rimmer: Galileo; computer-set
  
  Vocal score | Hardcopy - computer set
  
  $35.00
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- Rimmer: Galileo (visuals)
  
  DVD
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