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PUCCINI_Chris_Hill – ‘Humming Chorus’ (from the Opera ‘Madame Butterfly’ 1904) – 6 CELLOS

Other Identification:
In the autumn of 1900, Giacomo Puccini sat in a London theatre, mesmerized by the play ‘Madame Butterfly: A Tragedy of Japan’. One scene in particular — created by the play’s writer, producer and director, David Belasco — inspired him most of all. Butterfly sits in the centre of the stage, holding an overnight vigil, awaiting Pinkerton’s long-overdue return. For several long minutes, she does not speak. Time passes…. And it was at that moment that Puccini not only resolved to make Butterfly his next opera, but he also decided to make Butterfly’s vigil an arresting musical moment. Such a long stretch of silence had never been explored in opera and he was determined to see it come to life on the operatic stage. Puccini’s Madame Butterfly was, in time, premiered in 1904.

Movements or sections:
In the opera, Butterfly’s vigil became the “Coro a bocca chiusa” or “The Humming Chorus.” This is a moment of calm, when Butterfly peacefully (and silently) waits for Pinkerton. It’s one of the most compelling moments in the opera, when the audience sees Butterfly’s optimism for the last time, before it is utterly shattered by the arrival of Pinkerton and his new wife. The emotional effect Belasco achieved through silence; Puccini achieves through the exquisitely beautiful melody sung by the wordless, offstage chorus.

Instrumentation: FOR A SEXTET OF SIX CELLOS
Arranged by Chris Hill

All the music (individual parts, no score) is contained in 1 PDF.

Approximate difficulty:
The cello parts are basically only of MEDIUM adifficulty

Dedicatee of this presentation (if applicable):
David Johnstone is extremely grateful to conductor, cellist and arranger CHRIS HILL for permission to include and share some of his work in the Johnstone-Music web site.

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