Description

Giacomo PUCCINI – The ‘Humming Chorus’ (Chorus from the Opera ‘Madame Butterfly’) – for SIX CELLOS

Arranged by Chris Hill

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PDF 1 – All Cello Parts (no general score)

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Notes:

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 premiered in 1904. 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.

It is presented for 6-part cello ensemble, arranged by CHRIS HILL

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ABOUT THE ARRANGER

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.

Here is more on this musician:

Chris Hill studied cello with Joy Hall, George Issac, Christopher Bunting and in masterclasses with Paul Tortelier. As a cellist he has experience of both a recitalist and concerto soloist.

Chris has conducted the Thornbury Orchestra (Gloucestershire, U.K.) since January 2003. Under his admirable leadership the orchestra has grown from a chamber orchestra to a full symphony orchestra with significant forces that many other groups are envious of. Chris was formerly a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers but now concentrates on music in many forms. He currently leads a Cello Octet (The Celli Peppers), plays in the POET string quartet and runs various little projects to give musicians a chance to perform works that are not in the normal repertoire. He is an advocate of modern music, particularly from local composers, instigating the tradition in Thornbury Orchestra of playing a local contemporary piece in each concert.

To make contact please visit: https://www.thornburyorchestra.org.uk

Chris now also conducts the Thornbury Chamber Players, performing in smaller venues that Thornbury Orchestra has now out-grown. He also organises the annual Big Cello Day, which brings together 50 to 60 cellists of all ages. To meet the demands of these groups Chris also arranges music and may yet find time to compose…..