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Cover to vocal scoreThe Snow Queen

Music by Edvard Grieg adapted by King Palmer, book and lyrics by Winifred Palmer; based on the story by Hans Andersen.

Synopsis

A delightful fairy-story by Hans Andersen and the well loved music of Grieg make an inspired combination. Gerdas search for her lost brother Karl involves many strange adventures and encounters with magical characters, but the youngsters triumph in the end over the villainies of the Hobgoblin and the icy machinations of the beautiful Snow Queen. A short (one hour and three quarters) but enchanting musical play.

Musical Numbers

ACT I

  1. Prelude.

    SCENE 1.

  2. One Day in a Merry Mood - The Hobgoblin
  3. Winter - Karl, Gerda and Grandmother
  4. The Snow Queen - Grandmother
  5. Ugly - Karl
  6. I'll Follow - Gerda, Grandmother, Hans and Lars

    SCENE 2.

  7. Come - The Snow Queen

    SCENE 3.

  8. The Flower Garden - Soldiers and Flowers
  9. Flower Song - Gerda and Flowers

    SCENE 4.

  10. Dance - Courtiers
  11. For Ever - Prince, Princess and Chorus
  12. Crows in Clover - Two Crows
  13. Reprise: For Ever - Prince, Princess and Chorus

ACT II

SCENE 1.

  1. We Ride Over the Mountains - Robber King and Robber Band
  2. Reprise: We Ride Over the Mountains - Robber King and Robber Band
  3. Far Away - Reindeer, Gerda and Robber Girl
  4. Reprise: We Ride Over the Mountains - Robber King and Robber Band
  5. Reprise: We Ride Over the Mountains (Played only)


    SCENE 2.

  6. Fish - Finnish Woman
  7. Innocence - Finnish Woman


    SCENE 3.

  8. Ballet of Snowflakes (optional)
  9. Words - Karl and The Snow Queen
  10. Reprise: Winter - Gerda
  11. Home - Karl and Gerda
  12. One That Got Away - The Hobgoblin


    SCENE 4.

  13. Reprise: Home - Karl, Gerda, Grandmother and Children

Principals:

1 girl, 3 boys, 7 female, 4 male, 2 crows, 1 reindeer

CAST

SINGING CHARACTERS

THE HOBGOBLIN - A wicked, spindly character of black magic arts.
KARL - A lively boy of about twelve years.
GERDA - His sister, a pretty girl a year or so his junior.
GRANDMOTHER - A very comfortable-looking old lady.
HANS & LARS - Two boys of about Karl's age.
 THE SNOW QUEEN - Tall and coldly beautiful.
PRINCE & PRINCESS- A handsome couple, newly married and very happy.
TWO CROWS - Very loquacious birds.
THE ROBBER KING - A handsome villain.
THE ROBBER GIRL - Dark, fierce and dashing.
THE REINDEER - A haughty animal.
THE FINNISH WOMAN - A practical, kindly woman.


NON-SINGING CHARACTERS

THE OLD WOMAN - A little rosy-apple of a woman who has a magic garden.
COURT CHAMBERLAIN
THE OLD ROBBER WOMAN - An ugly, vile old woman.

CHORUS of SOLDIERS, FLOWERS, COURTIERS, ROBBER BAND, SNOWFLAKES, CHILDREN,

(N.B. The music for the chorus which is arranged in two parts and may be sung in unison if desired.)

Scenes and Settings:


THE ACTION TAKES PLACE IN SCANDINAVIA OVER A PERIOD OF WINTER MONTHS.

ACT I

PROLOGUE - Tabs.
SCENE 1 - Interior: Karl and Gerdas Home.
SCENE 2 - Tabs: On the Way to the Snow Queens Palace.
SCENE 3 - The Magic Flower Garden.
SCENE 4 - The Royal Palace.

ACT II

SCENE 1 - The Robber Camp.
SCENE 2 - Interior: The Finnish Womans Hut.
SCENE 3 - The Snow Queens Palace.
SCENE 4 - Interior: Karl and Gerdas Home.

Instrumentation:

flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, 3 percussion, strings

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