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Words and music by Scott Joplin. Adapted, arranged, and orchestrated by T.J. Anderson.
Available in full with Overture, Acts 1,2,3, or as excerpted sections.
Scores/ rental parts available from ACA;
Vocal scores also available for purchase;
Overture inst: fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, cornet, tbn, tba, drumset, piano, 5-part strings;
Full opera incl overture: Solo voices, SATB, fl/pic, ob, cl, bsn, hn, cornet/tpt in Bb, tbn, tba, drumset, piano, strings (mostly 4 part)
Treemonisha (1911) is an opera by American ragtime composer Scott Joplin. It is sometimes referred to as a "ragtime opera", though it encompasses a wide range of musical styles. The music of Treemonisha includes an overture and prelude, along with various recitatives, choruses, small ensemble pieces, a ballet, and a few arias. The opera was largely unknown before its first complete performance in 1972, with orchestration done by composer T.J. Anderson.
Scott Joplin was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1976 for Treemonisha.
Cast of Characters
Treemonisha Monisha- Treemonisha's mother, Ned -Treemonisha's father, Remus -friend of Treemonisha, Lucy- friend of Treemonisha, Andy- friend of Treemonisha, Zodzetrick- a conjurer, Luddud- a conjurer, Cephus -a conjurer, Simon -a conjurer, Parson Alltalk -,a preacher.
Corn-huskers, conjurors, cotton pickers, visitors, etc.
Orchestration: T.J. Anderson
The first fully staged performance of the Scott Joplin opera was given on January 28, 1972 at Morehouse College, in a production staged by Katherine Dunham and conducted by Robert Shaw, with orchestrations by T.J. Anderson. This production received fine notices, and brought Treemonisha to international attention.
Premiere information:
Conductor: Robert Shaw
Editors: T.J. Anderson & William Bolcom
Wendell Whalum, Chorus Director
Katherine Dunham, Stage Director
Premiere featured cast members: Alpha Floyd, Simon Estes, Seth McCoy, Louise Parker, Joseph Bias, the African-American Workshop of Morehouse College, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Score and parts available from American Composers Alliance; Recording of this performance with interviews available to NPR stations through satellite, 2000.
On January 30, 1972 The New York Times published a review by Harold C. Schonberg: “In writing 'Treemonisha' - the libretto was his own – Joplin clearly intended to author a social as well as musical document. He set up the forces of ignorance and superstition against liberalism and education represented by a young lady named Treemonisha.” “Morehouse College, aided by a Rockefeller grant, gave 'Treemonisha' an ambitious performance.
Thomas J. Anderson, a visiting professor at the college, orchestrated the opera in a style that follows the one example of Joplin's orchestration that has come down to us.” The opera concludes with 'A Real Slow Drag.' Schonberg writes: “This slow drag is amazing. Harmonically enchanting, full of the tensions of an entire race, rhythmically catching, it refuses to leave the mind. Talk about soul music!”
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Overture 8'
No. 1 Instrumental: flute/pic, ob, cl, bsn, hn, cornet, tbn, tba, perc/drum set, pf, strings
Act I
• No.2. The Bag of Luck 8'
Solo voices + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, strings
• No.3. The Corn-Huskers 1'
Solo Voice, SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, pf, strings
• No.4. We're Goin' Around 3'
Solo Voice, SATB, + Hn, Tpt, Tbn, Tba, Perc, Piano, Strings
• No.5. The Wreath 2'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, strings
• No.6. The Sacred Tree 3'
Solo voices +fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba strings
• No.7. Surprised :15"
Solo Voice, SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, strings
• No.8. Treemonisha's Bringing-Up 5'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, strings
• No.9. Good Advice 5'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, strings
• No.10. Confusion 2'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, perc, pf, strings
Act II
• No.11. Superstition 3'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, perc, pf, strings
• No.12. Treemonisha in Peril 3'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, cello
• No.13. Frolic of the Bears 2'
Instrumental mostly: Voices, pic, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, perc, pf, strings
• No.14. The Wasp-Nest 1'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, strings
• No.15. The Rescue 1'30"
Solo voices + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, perc, strings
• No.16. We Will Rest a While 1'30"
Men's voices, fl, pf
• No.17. Going Home 1'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, strings
• No.18. Aunt Dinah Has Blowed de Horn 1'30"
SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, perc, pf, strings
Act III
• No.19. Prelude to Act 3 4'
Instrumental fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, strings
• No.20. I Want to See My Child 2'30"
Solo voices + fl, pf, strings
• No.21. Treemonisha's Return 4'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, perc, pf, strings
• No.22. Wrong is Never Right 6'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, strings
• No.23. Abuse :30"
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, strings
• No.24. When Villians Ramble Far and Near 5'
Solo voices + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tbn, tba, strings
• No.25. Conjurors Forgiven 1'30"
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, pf strings
• No.26. We Will Trust You As Our Leader 8'
Solo voices + SATB + fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, strings
• No.27. A Real Slow Drag 6'
Solo voices + SATB + fl/pic, ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, tba, pf, perc/drumset strings