Libretto by Mark Schweizer
Music by Carson P. Cooman
Cast of Characters
Jesus, tenor or bass
Woman, mezzo-soprano
Man, baritone
SATB Chorus
Instrumentation
Solo Piano OR Flute, Cello and Piano
Thieves is an opera in one act, conceived for performance in a church context and is especially effective during Holy Week. It is approximately 20 minutes in length. The music for the opera derives primarily from the hymn-like "chorale" which appears in various guises sung by the chorus throughout the work. THIEVES may be performed in either the solo piano version or the version for mixed trio. All singers/chorus members should work from the "piano/vocal score" at all times. If the trio version is used, it should be noted that the piano part is not the same as the solo piano version. The part of Jesus can be sung by either a tenor or a bass. The score is indicated accordingly. A tenor should sing the part where written. A bass should sing it an octave lower. The chorus should be off to the side of the action.
Piano/Vocal Score - $7.50
per copy
Full Score and Instrumental Parts - $20.00
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Thieves |
THIEVES
Prelude – Chorus (to the side)
Jesus enters from the back carrying the cross, followed by a man and a woman business suits. They put the cross up and help Jesus into place where he remains for the rest of the opera. The man and the woman take their places on either side of the cross.
Chorus: Jesus, in thy dying
woes
Even while thy lifeblood flow,
Craving pardon for thy foes;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Savior, for our pardon sue,
When our sins, thy pangs renew,
For we know not what we do;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
O may we who mercy need,
Be like thee in heart and deed
When with wrong, our sprits bleed;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Jesus: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Man: They know what they
do! They know what they do!
I curse their names and I curse God, too.
How fast our hands and feet are nailed
Our throats with parching thirst are dried
With eyes, now failing, cold and dim,
How cruelly we are crucified.
I look back on such a life
as mine and I grow weary;
held aloft to contempt and scorn.
Yet what I have done, I have done. I die alone.
There are no defenses to proffer.
No excuses to offer.
I made money and in my world, money is the measure of success.
Success and power.
Woman: A broken heart,
a fount of tears,
Ask, and they will not be denied,
And with him, may we love and weep,
Since we, like him, are crucified.
My life is a life of sacrifice.
I leave this world with tasks undone.
The whims of God seem quite unfair
Yet this is how the race is run.
Chorus: Jesus, loving to
the end
Her, whose heart thy sorrows rend,
And thy dearest human friend;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
May we all thy loved ones
be,
All one holy family,
Loving for the love of thee;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Jesus: Woman, behold your son.
Woman: My children are
my life.
If I stole, it was for my children, my family – not for myself.
If they do not love me for it, am I to blame?
And now it ends and who will watch over them?
I grieve that duty does not work
All that my wishing would;
Because I would not be to them
But in the best I could.
Chorus: Though no Father
seems to hear,
Though no light our sprits cheer,
Tell our faith that God is near;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Jesus: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Man: We are forsaken!
Crucified by life and love and all humanity.
In the end, all hope has vanished.
It is not right that I should end my life this way.
If you are the Christ, save us. Save us and save yourself!
Woman: I pray you, do not
take the name
of this righteous man in vain.
We are done for, let him be.
We deserve our fates, not he.
Chorus: Thirst for us in
mercy still,
All thy holy work fulfil,
Satisfy thy loving will;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
May we thirst thy love
to know,
Lead us from our sin and woe,
Where the healing waters flow;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Jesus: I thirst!
Man: I have thirsted for
riches and for fame
I found them both in boundless measure.
The very value of my name,
Has brought to me repute and treasure.
Yet what are all my prizes
now?
They’ll come to ashes, then to dust,
All that I have, and am, is here
Where thieves are plenty, and treasures rust.
Chorus: Jesus, all our ransom paid,
All thy Father’s will obeyed,
By thy sufferings, perfect made;
Hear us, holy Jesus.
Save us in our soul’s
distress,
Be our help to cheer and bless,
While we grow in holiness;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Jesus: Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.
Woman: I pray thee, Father,
grant them faith,
Forgive those who mistreated me,
And grant that I might show a trace
Of humbleness I see in thee.
I have done what I ever
I could
And I have never asked for grace.
Yet in it all I’ve understood
That through my works, I’d see your face.
Both: Hear me. Hear me, O Lord, and remember me when you come into your Kingdom.
Jesus: Truly, I say to you, today one of you will be with me in Paradise.
Man: One of us? Which one? Who will be with you in Paradise?
Woman: It is I!. I have
obeyed the laws and kept the commandments after my way.
I attended the church and gave offerings and tithes of all I possess.
I thank my God that I am not like you, a miserable thief.
I thank my God that I will not die without friends and family.
Yes, it is I that shall
be with him in paradise.
For you are cursed and all your viper’s brood!
Man: Lord, be merciful to me,
And in thy grace and pity
Forgive my sins,
That I may walk in your house.
Now and in eternity. Amen.
Jesus: It is finished!
Chorus: May thy life and
death supply
Grace to live and grace to die,
Grace to reach the home on high;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Brighten all our heavenward
way
With an ever holier ray
Till we pass to perfect day;
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
Players leave to the chorus.
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