Good King Wenceslas
Music By Richard Shephard
Story and Libretti by Mark Schweizer
30 minutes
This holiday opera is based on and incorporates the well-known carol by John Mason Neale (1818-1866). A wonderful and touching Christmas offering, Good king Wenceslas can be performed on stage or in a less formal setting, with or without sets and is written to be accessible to professional and amateur groups alike. Principals include two sopranos, mezzo, two tenors, three baritones/basses, a treble (boy or girl) and an off-stage chorus. (Several roles may be doubled) A choice of accompaniments are available - full orchestra, chamber ensemble (oboe, horn, bassoon, percussion. piano) or piano. The choral parts need not be memorized, are easily managed by a college, opera workshop, or professional chorus and can be performed to the side, away from the action. Good King Wenceslas links the allegorical stories of Good King Wenceslas, as told in Neale's famous carol, with one concerning the Three Kings
leaving the listeners with the message of the carol.
Therefore Christian men be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
Cast
Mother (soprano†)
Chancellor (tenor*)
Stephen (treble)
King Wenceslas (bass/baritone)
Angel (mezzo soprano†)
Shepherd Girl (soprano)
Kaspar (tenor*)
Balthazar (Baritone)
Melchior (Baritone)
Chorus
* † may be sung by the same performer
Synopsis
The chancellor and Stephen's mother are hunting for the page. As he is found and cleaned up by his mother, he is informed that the
King wants him immediately. Upon attending Good King Wenceslas, Stephen, a very rude and spoiled child, is asked about a peasant gathering wood in the courtyard. Telling what he knows of the man, he is then informed that he is to make a journey with the King. Taking food, drink and fuel, Stephen sets off after the King on their mission. Stephen is not happy about the trip and grumbles as he makes the journey, talking about his birthday presents - his cloak, his new boots and, best of all, his new silver hunting knife. Losing their way in the storm, the King and Stephen take shelter and the King falls asleep leaving Stephen to watch the fire. Stephen, being afraid, is visited by a woman (an angel dressed as a peasant) who asks for a place by the fire and some food. Not willing to share, Stephen at first refuses her request but finally relents and the woman, in appreciation, tells Stephen a story.
Once a long time ago, a shepherd girl lived in a village and each day she sat by the side of the road minding her sheep, asking each
passerby if they could perhaps be her father whom she was separated from a very long time ago.
One day she saw a great King coming by. "Have you, on all your travels, perhaps seen my father?" she asks. "No", he says, but he has seen angels singing in the heavens. "Yes," she replies. "I have seen it too. Angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields singing "Glory to God in the highest and peace, goodwill to men on earth." Soon she sees another King coming down the road. "Have you seen my father?" she asks. "No," he says, but I have seen the star and the babe lying in the manger. "Yes," she says, “I have seen that too. All the shepherds travelled to see the small child and found him lying in swaddling clothes among the animals.”
A third King comes down the road. "Have you seen my father?" she asks. "I have seen the savior of the world," says the king. "And have brought him gifts so precious their cost may not be counted." "Yes," she says, "I have done that too. The shepherds all gave what gifts they had to the holy child. I had only one gift. My shepherd pipe - the only thing my father had given me and now I have nothing." The king looks at her. "I had a daughter once, but she was taken from me. I have been searching for her, these many years. Many have come to me and called me "Father" for the riches and the affection I would bestow on them. But I would know my daughter. I would know her by the pipe she used to play for me." The shepherdess looked at him in horror! "But...but...I've given it away! I have no pipe! The king, smiling, pulled a shepherd's pipe from beneath his cloak. "The babe has no use for this," he said. "But you surely do. For it proves you are my daughter. If you had not given this gift I would never have found you for we were leaving by a different way.
Stephen, hearing about the gift declares that he has changed and will give the peasant his silver knife. He wakes the King, eager to
resume their journey to the St. Agnes' fountain and the house of the peasant - leaving the way they came in.
Click here to download the libretto
Click on the speaker to listen to "Good King Wenceslas."
