The Little Match Girl - (1994)  YR1512

Libretto by Gary Bachlund

After a story by Hans Christian Andersen

 

For lyric soprano (Match Girl) and chamber ensemble  (circa 12 minutes)

 

 

Also in German translation by Annette Zühlke: Das kleine Mädchen mit den Streichhölzern.

 

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Match Girl:
New Year's snow and sleet.
No one on the street.
Matches. Matches.
Snow's purest, fleetest white hands,
snow's whitest hands surround me.
Hold me so close.
Matches to light your way.
Matches keep cold away.
Night's black everywhere enfolds me!
Papa's raging anger scolds me to sell...
Matches for sale!
Matches! Matches!
Who will buy my wares?
Matches! Matches!
Come and buy my wares?
Buy my wares!
Matches! Matches!
Come and buy!
Who will buy?
Buy! Buy!
If a match could light the world,
if only I could see...
If this match could light the world...
If only I could feel...

[ She lights a match.]

A great, grand iron stove,
with bright brass knobs and fittings.
Its gentle whispering warmth.
Its softly smoldering cheer.
I'd feel the fire on my fingers.
The warmth upon my face.

[ The match burns out. The winter cold returns abruptly.]

Who will buy my wares?
Matches! Matches!
If a match could light my dreams...
If I could only see...

[ She lights another match.]

A festive New Year's table.
Its brilliant cloth and china!
How I would taste the roasted meats
and sugared sweets.
Golden flavors!

[ The match burns out.]

Who will buy my wares?
Matches! Matches!
Come and buy my wares!
Who will buy?
As this match now lights my heart,
I see...

[ She lights another match.]

Loveliest, laughing Christmas tree,
brightly bigger than I've ever seen!
Thin thousand candles
on its bows of green.
Twinkle colored stars of light,
faerie bells to ring and merry make.
A star is falling as someone dies.
Oh, were I like the gentle snow,
ever young and ancient.
Oh to be with God.

[ The match burns out.]

Matches kindle dreams.

[ She lights the last matches.]

Granny! Oh, Granny!
Standing in radiance!
How long since my heart
has been with yours?
Brighter than the day!
Granny, I'll go with you.
Higher than the sky.
To be with God.

[ A radiance grows bright, and then slowly fades to black.]

Gary Bachlund, June 1994

 

Copyright © 1997 Yelton Rhodes Music (BMI), Los Angeles.     All international rights reserved.

 

This score is available from Yelton Rhodes Music, Los Angeles, California