This text forms part of the libretto La Passion de Lagamas.
Ce texte fait partie du libretto La Passion de Lagamas.
CHOIR: Solo – A single baritone voice reads the football results softly – starting mezzo forte and gradually becoming piano to almost inaudible.
Saducees 2 Jerusalem 1
Herodians 1 Pharisees 0
Galilleens 3 Palestine 1
Romans 0 Golgotha 2
Nabateans 2 Pereans 1
Tiberias 1 Judeans 1
Samaria 2 Emmaus 1
Bethsaida 1 Tyre 1
Hittites 0 Ephesus 0
Galations 0 Hasidim 0
Machaerus 0 Arimathea………3
SOLO: Melanie Pappenheim
Our love you will see
– Like a rose bush blossom,
We’re flying like birds
- As we watch you die. (1)
I do not see him
CHOIR: (softly) cocorico
I do not hear him
CHOIR: (softly) cocorico
I do not know him
CHOIR: (softly) cocorico
ACTION: A single candle is lit – all else is in darkness
We are at the Mount of Olives at the Château de Lagamas. It is the time for pétanque.
The swallows circle on their pilgrimage – crying – Les cages sont toujours imaginaires – the prison is in our heads,
An owl calls softly – hibou, hibou, hibou – a small death in the night – la petite mort – absolutely still.
CHOIR – SOUND: two steel pétanque boules are cracked together three times
It is time for the feu d’artifice – the moment of the Passion.
Caiphas, the high priest provokes the argument – he raises his voice – who is the closer? – a single bell strikes,
Pontius Pilate – arbiter – chooses between Jesus and Barabbas – the moon is gibbous,
Herod Antipater – the old fox in violet jumper – sips a glass of sweet Muscat – hopes for a miracle.
CHOIR: Jesus to be read in a single voice – the choir respond with increasing number of voices – 1 – 8 – SATB CHOIR!!!
Jesus – Barrabas (1 voice)
Jesus – Barrabas (8 voices)
Jesus – Barrabas (ALL)
CHOIR – SOUND: two steel pétanque boules are cracked together
A nail through the right hand
The payntours and the carpenters complete their work – stand and admire their craftsmanship,
The nails – straight, large and long – struck in hard and true,
The varnish – good quality – two coats and on both sides,
Jesus falls on the white gravel – two large red stains on his knees.
CHOIR – SOUND: two steel pétanque boules are cracked together
A nail through the left hand
Veronica wipes her tears with a lavender scented mouchoir,
Simon of Cyrene steps forward to carry the cross of sweet-smelling Aleppo Pine,
Judas thinking on Cezanne’s painting of La Maison du Pendu – departs quietly for the Potter’s Field – the field of blood.
CHOIR – SOUND: two steel pétanque boules are cracked together
A nail through the right foot
The voices of the multitude – The sheep on the left – the goats on the right,
Ananias, son of Seth, the High Priest – counts out seventy golden coins – blood money,
It is the ninth hour – Longinus places his spear into the ribs of Jesus – a large red scar.
CHOIR – SOUND: two steel pétanque boules are cracked together
A nail through the left foot
An infinity of angels watch from the point of a needle – wailing and weeping,
The sirocco blows from the South – leaves fall – two drops of blood fall – the rain falls,
The cosmos is silent – the light is silenced.
Tetelestai – It is finished – Only love continues. (2)
ACTION: The candle is snuffed – all is darkness
CHOIR (In Darkness)
Eli, Eli, Lama Sabbachthani
Eli, Eli, Lama Sabbachthani
Eli, Eli, Lama Sabbachthani (3)
—
FIN
Jeremy Hunt. London. March, 2014
Notes
1. From Se Canta, the National anthem of Occitania, of which at least twelve regional versions exist. Also known as: Se Chanta; Aqueras Montanhas; Montanhes Araneses. (English: If it Sings)
Se Canta (Valadas version)
Nòsti amors veiguéretz
Com rosèr florir,
Volem com es pares,
Guardant-vos morir.
2. Tetelestai: Greek: It is finished
3. Eli, Eli, Lama Sabbachthani. Aramaic: My god, why hast thou forsaken me?
