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The Little Match Girl - (1994)
Libretto by Gary Bachlund
After a story by Hans Christian Andersen
For lyric soprano (Match Girl) and chamber ensemble
Also in German translation by Annette Zühlke: Das kleine Mädchen mit den Streichhölzern.
The piano-vocal score for The Little Match Girl is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this score.
For inquiries and the arrangement of performance rights, click here for Contact Information
[ 13 pages with cover, circa 11 minutes ]
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
