Works for choirs
Peter Butler's choral compositions and arrangements have been performed by Australia's leading choirs and soloists. You will find a selection of the major works for choirs below, with audio examples and texts of each recording. All of Peter's works pre-2007 are held in the State Library of Victoria--Scores, recordings and facsimiles of original manuscripts. State Library of Victoria http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ Search their catalogue under ‘Butler, Peter M’
Peter welcomes enquiries from choirs and soloists, for new compositions of further information about the pieces featured on this page.
Pictures at an Exhibition for Massed Choirs and Soloists
![Pictures at and Exhibition Mussorgsky arranged for massed choirs and Soloists Music Peter Btler, text Mark Garner: Performance poster](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453272777424-2QCF3TB6ILDAM2J2UHOS/image-asset.jpeg)
Pictures at and Exhibition Mussorgsky arranged for massed choirs and Soloists Music Peter Btler, text Mark Garner: Performance poster
Synopsis: Mark Garner’s libretto brings the Exhibition drawings to life, vividly. During the promenades we are led around the gallery space by Mussorgsky. He in turn reminisces about, and grieves for his friend, the artist Victor Hartmann. As each drawing is visited, the scene, the setting and the characters come to life. In Tuileries, we hear the children taunting their nannies in a game of hide and seek. Likewise in the Ballet of the Chicks in the Shells, children gambol about in their egg costumes. The Gnome urges us to not be so hasty to judge, and to look within to our own ‘foul side’. Baba Yaga is beseeched to come back and tell us more scary stories from our childhood. Finally, The Great gate of Kiev evokes a large Russian requiem for the repose of the soul of the artist. The piece is written in the form of an oratorio with many solos and different combinations of choirs. For the première, a Men’s, Women’s and Boys’ choirs were used. Each appears singly, doubly and en masse. The work can be performed effectively by a single SATB choir. The piano part is the original piano score. The accompaniments of Limoge, the Ballet of the Chicks in their Shells and Two Polish Jews are arranged for flute, viola and piano.
1. Promenade I 2. Gnomus 3. Promenade II 4. Il Vecchio Castello 5. Promenade III 6. Tuileries 7. Bydlo 8. Promenade IV 9. Ballet of the chicks on their shells 10. Two Polish Jews. One rich, the other poor 11. Promenade V 12. Limoges, The Market Place 13. Catacombae. Sepulcrum Romanum 14. Con Mortuis in Lingua Mortua 15. Baba Yaga. The hut on fowl's legs. 16. The great gate of Kiev.
Choral Arrangement: Peter Butler, Libretto: Mark Garner. The Vocal Consort, The Majellan Singers, The Australian Boys Choir conducted by Noel Ancell OAM Piano Jonathan Bradley. Castlemaine Art Gallery, June 16, 2001, Flockhart Hall, M.L.C., Kew, June 24, 2001.
End, end, darkness descending, life’s light show is ending, journey’s end impending. Spent, spent, spent is creation, chilled its inspiration, stilled all conversation, dulling all divine illumination. Look, look! Great doors eternal, gates to shores eternal, jaws of realms infernal, through which his soul must enter, grieving leaving me in cold loneliness, warmed only by his art. So, may they toll, toll, great bells eternal, sound in loss fraternal, requiem nocturnal. Mourn, mourn, mourn death of dawning, toll the knell as dims the light to glimmering shadows. Ah! How these pictures touch me, ling’ring imprints of a long-vanished hand! Shades that shone now fade, fade, fade. Ooh, ooh. Ars longa, vita brevis: life is brief, but art immortal. Let me sense, dearest friend, just once more, your presence here. Pictures, show again your master’s fleeting soul. Oh stay! Why haste away? Why flee? Great bells, peal con amore, seal set on his story, grandeur, grace, and glory! May God grant they shine forever, fading never, mem’ry not severed. Let his spirit free, untethered play, Oh, play, Oh, play, Oh may it say, Oh say, Oh, may it say to all un-born generations, “See through art I live, I live!”
12 Christmas Carols for SSA Choirs
![A CAPELLA CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR CHOIRS SSA ARRANGED BY PETER BUTLER INCLUDES FLUTE OBBLIGATO DESCANTS](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453273981747-5TORYGE98UIU81GGGW3U/image-asset.jpeg)
A CAPELLA CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR CHOIRS SSA ARRANGED BY PETER BUTLER INCLUDES FLUTE OBBLIGATO DESCANTS
Choral Arrangements and flute obbligato parts: Peter Butler. Each carol is printed in a range of keys to suit lower and higher voice ranges.
1. We Wish you a Merry Christmas. 2. While Shepherds Watched.. 3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. 4. Silent Night. 5. O Little Babe of Bethlehem. 6. The First Nowell. 7. Mary’s Boy Child. 8. Angels we have heard on high. 9. Ding! Dong! Merrily on High. 10. Once in Royal David’s City. 11. Away in a Manger. 12. The Three Drovers.
Hip-hip Horatio for SATB Choir
![Hip Hip Horatio by Michael hurd and Michael Blum arranged for SSATTB boys and mens’ chorus by Peter Butler with permission from Michael Hurd: Poster](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453275391895-NEUUX05931O5WS4KQIMH/image-asset.jpeg)
Hip Hip Horatio by Michael hurd and Michael Blum arranged for SSATTB boys and mens’ chorus by Peter Butler with permission from Michael Hurd: Poster
Synopsis: Hip, hip Horatio is an irreverent musical account of the life of Admiral Lord Nelson, composed by Michael Hurd, with lyrics by Michael Blum. The piece has received countless performances throughout the world. Through a series of 20 songs and recitatives, we learn about Nelson's childhood, his early apprenticeship in the Navy, his rise through the ranks, marriage and mistress, and finally his death during the Battle of Waterloo. The music and lyrics evoke the pomp and ceremony of Great Britain at her world beating best. This arrangement by Peter Butler is scored for SATB choir. The music is entirely original; nothing has been added or removed. The Australian boys choir toured this work through the southern states of the USA in 1993, under the direction of Noel Ancell OAM, and accompanist Bruce McRae.
This SATB version was arranged specially for the Australian Boys Choir tour of Southern USA 1993. The Australian Boys Choir, The Vocal Consort, Conductor: Noel Ancell OAM, Accompanist: Bruce Macrae, Recorded at the Welcome home concert on October 30, 1993 at Melba Hall, University of Melbourne. Photo: Peter Butler with Michael Hurd at the Melba Hall performance.
![Peter butler and Michael hurd Oct 30 1993 hip hip horatio for SSATTB choirs performance melba hall Melbourne university Australian boys choir and the vocal consort cond: Noel Ancell](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453938328513-GM7ITICPGNTSPUBU36NJ/image-asset.jpeg)
Peter butler and Michael hurd Oct 30 1993 hip hip horatio for SSATTB choirs performance melba hall Melbourne university Australian boys choir and the vocal consort cond: Noel Ancell
1. Here Beginneth 2. An humble parson dwelling 3. What's the answer? 4. Royal Navy Apprentice 5. Hey Banana! 6. Home to England 7. One May morning 8. The Hounds of war 9. Royal Navy Blues 10. Now with a light heart 11. Underneath the chandeliers 12. Years of greatness 13. His fame spread before 14. Cor blimey Adm'ral Nelson 15. Weighed down with many honours 16. Merton Park 17. Napoleon struck! 18. 27 sailing ships 19. Now the battle's over
Now the battle’s over, the enemy is sunk, And every honest British tar lies sleeping in his bunk. The ones that are less honest, sit drinking rum all day, Telling hairy stories of the ones that got away. And all over London they hang out the flags, Wrap up their presents in Lord Nelson Bags. Processions go a marching and brass bands play. Children are singing, and everywhere you’ll hear them say. Battles can be rather painful, fighting never is much fun, But if you will do your duty, every battle may be won. And when you return victorious, and assuming you are dead, You too can become a statue on a pillar with a pigeon standing on your head. So, if you’re in London on any old day, just bear in mind what they say. Down in Trafalgar Square where children play, you’ll find his column there, Just stop and have a stare. For there by the fountains and lions you’ll find, Guarding Old London so grand. It’s Admiral Nelson there, up in the morning air, Doing his duty forever and a day.
Elements of Surprise
![Elements of Surprise cantata for treble choir 1997 music peter butler text mark garner performed by the australian boys choir iwaki auditorium melbourne calvin bowman piano cond: Noel Ancell](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453275722329-1NOBECLUXARRUE3MG7Q7/image-asset.jpeg)
Elements of Surprise cantata for treble choir 1997 music peter butler text mark garner performed by the australian boys choir iwaki auditorium melbourne calvin bowman piano cond: Noel Ancell
Synopsis: In the beginning, God creates the four elements; earth wind, fire and water. Then, because God has a sense of humour, a fifth is added, the Element of Surprise. A poor wandering swagman finds himself caught up in ill-fated government schemes to alleviate the effects of drought (earth), fire, flooding and wind. With each natural disaster the government devises a climate defeating initiative to house the poor defenceless citizen: a drought proof house, a fire proof house, a floating house and finally giant wind baffles to deflect the gales from the house. Each house succumbs the subsequent cataclysm. The floating house, the final initiative, is caught by a severe gust of wind created by the baffles, and launches into the air with the swagman attached. Regardless of the disastrous outcome, the government concludes with a congratulatory anthem to its own imagined successes. Elements of Surprise was inspired by serious climactic disturbances during the early days of the centennial drought. Its message could not have been more prescient, given the unprecedented drought, fires and floods that followed.
Oratorio for Treble or Bass choir and soloists written especially for The Australian Boys Choir and Vocal Consort. Premiered on Saturday October 18th 1997 at The Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Centre, Southgate, Melbourne, Australia. Noel Ancell OAM conductor. Calvin Bowman piano, Soloists Henry Choo, Andrew Dent.
1. Overture - And God Said 2. Drought - Scene 1 3. Drought - Parliament 1 4. Fire - Scene 2. 5. Fire - Parliament 2 6. Flood - Scene 3 7. Flood - Parliament 3 8. Wind - Scene 4 9. Wind - Parliament 4 10. Conclusion - How Visionary We.
How visionary we, how firm-resolved, Our missionary zeal the problem solved. We've shown the elements can be defied When elementary thinking is applied.
Mixed Fortunes
![mixed fortunes cantata for treble choir music peter butler, text mark garner. Premiered by the young voices of melbourne dir: Mark O’Leary. album cover art bradfield](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453276203992-TEXHBDB4LS05W2GQD5OT/image-asset.jpeg)
mixed fortunes cantata for treble choir music peter butler, text mark garner. Premiered by the young voices of melbourne dir: Mark O’Leary. album cover art bradfield
Synopsis: The Rural and Regional Amateur Choral Society RRACS are pleasantly surprised by the news that they have been accepted to appear in a nationally televised choral competition. Both the conductor and the pianist work in secret on new compositions that they intend to be presented by the choir at the competition, each unaware that they both have the same ambition. At a later rehearsal, they are both thunderstruck to discover that they weren't the only one hoping to have their work performed. In gentlemanly fashion, they decide to leave the decision as to which work to perform until the night of the competition. The night arrives, the choir is on stage and still no decision has been made. As the bell sounds to start their performance, in panic, half of the choir sings one piece, while the other half sings the other piece. The performance is an unmitigated disaster. They leave the stage in humiliation, dreading the judge’s speech. The judge announces that there has been one piece ‘buffissimo con moto, the heart of every musophile was made to soar and sing and smile’. The rural and regional choir are voted the outright winners for their innovative performance. They conclude with an anthem of rejoicing ‘We somehow always knew we’d win it’.
Mixed Fortunes was written specially for Young Voices of Melbourne and was premiered in Melbourne on the 17th of October 1998 at the Armadale Uniting Church Kooyong Rd. Conductor: Mark O’Leary, Piano: Peter Butler. Soloists: Henry Choo (The Conductor), Andrew Wailes (The Pianist), Narrators: Mirrin Cant, Emily Dittman , Charisma Dungan, Rachel Hartley. A CD recording was made of the second performance which was given on the 31st of October in Peter Butler and Mark Garner's home town of Bendigo. Recorded at St Andrew's Church Hall Bendigo, 31st October 1998.
![mixed fortunes cantata for treble choir music peter butler text mark garner performed by the young voices of melbourne dir: Mark o’Leary melbourne pefformance](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1454282380258-B1J84OGWYJZ0CPBGCDZX/image-asset.jpeg)
mixed fortunes cantata for treble choir music peter butler text mark garner performed by the young voices of melbourne dir: Mark o’Leary melbourne pefformance
1. Oh, the world will soon be sleeping 2. Middle Muddle Farm 3. Now listen to me my fellow musicians / Oh, Glorious News 4. And what is more / Our name in lights 5. So with handclapping 6. Oh, how I hate the servant's place 7. This is the opportunity we've waited for 8. Though your frail and fragile beauty 9. They told me it would tear me apart 10. Obessessed in the grip of inspiration 11. Something wonderful of which I must apprise you 12. Magniloquently Magnum 13. A dreadful realization. 14. They stared most impressively15. Do not let your disappointment. 16. This was the opportunity they'd waited for 17. The threat of a punch up. Then let us learn both compositions. So peace was restored. 18. They told me it would tear me apart – taught to choir. 19. Though your frail and fragile beauty – taught to choir 20. So week in and week out. Let's leave our decision 'till right on the night 21. And now it's here, the fateful evening 22. We are sorry to inform you. Quick, quick! To your feet. Oh, horror! Oh, panic! 23. Though your frail/They told me it would - The Competition Performance 24. Despite our valiant efforts. They had drained the last dregs 25. Rhubarb, rhubarb. And yet there was one peerless act. 26. We somehow always new we'd win it!
We somehow always knew we’d win it; We never doubted for a minute; Belief in our inspired endeavor Never wavered, never, never. This is the opportunity we’ve waited for, The golden hour our genius was created for. Our spirits soar, our hearts fly up elated, for This is the opportunity we’ve waited for. Let organs play, let trumpets bray, Uproariously shout hooray, Oh, glorious news, victorious day!
The Gongorank
![the gongorank cantata for treble choir music peter butler, text mark garner performed by the bendigo youth choir dir: Valerie Broad OAM](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453276769942-UMF2V1XPL9IEKIVAD0Y4/image-asset.jpeg)
the gongorank cantata for treble choir music peter butler, text mark garner performed by the bendigo youth choir dir: Valerie Broad OAM
Synopsis: The Gongorank, Funny Farmer Fuddle and all the happy animals at Ponds End Wood receive a rude shock. The Gongorank has seen workers erecting a large structure down at Hodge Podge Pond. The Gongorank is convinced that they demolishing their home to build a giant supermarket, and that they will all end up in tinned food on the shelves. Farmer Fuddle reassures everyone that it is not a supermarket, but a circus coming to town. The gang rush off to attend the circus show, delighting in the antics of the Toothy-Cat Tigers, The dizzy-high-diver, The Flying Fantazinis and the Gorgeous Galloping Girls. To cap it off, they are given free tickets by the ring-master to attend the following night, at which the Gongorank will be a star attraction. The Gongorank steals the show. This show is inspired by the Gongorank; an imaginary friend of one of Mark Garner’s children. The libretto is a joyous alliterative play on words from beginning to end.
Music: Peter Butler, Libretto: Mark Garner, Composed for the Bendigo Youth Choir. Director Valerie Broad OAM. Pianists: Peter Butler, Laura Dusseljee. The Gongorank: Cayt McQueenie, Farmer Fuddle: Tom Fraser, Cobbles: Tatjana Macuro, Tibbles: Alsion Grenfell, Narrator:Jessie Austin, Ring Master: Gawain Davey. Recording: St. Andrews Hall Myers St. Bendigo 13th June 2001. Hans Meinig Engineer. Masks: Lou Chamberlain, students of Star of the Sea College.
1. Middle-muddle Farm 2. Well, on one fine evening 3. He’s a Gongorank with attitude 4. Then on a moisty, mossy bank 5. And then, today I saw a horde6. Oh, you muddle-headed, silly sausage Gongorank 7. For it’s a circus 8. Oh, it’s really, really fun at Saxon’s 9. See the glittery girls 10. Oh! See him, far above our heads 11. Now here comes a clown on a bungleflop bicycle, 12. The Famous Flying Fantazinis 13. What a day, and what a show! 14. He’s a Gongorank with style.
Chorus Through a tangled, jungly, overgrown wood, where the bindweed’s thicker than your arm, go along a long and windy little lane, and you’ll come to Middle-muddle Farm.Yes, you’ll find that farm where a fine man lives, jolly Farmer Fuddle in the dell, with his old tom-cat, his tubby tabby-cat, and his curly Collie-dog as well. Narrator [spoken, while chorus repeats verse 1] Psst! Come here with while they’re singing their song, I mean you and you, too, and all you; and remember to bring all your ears along, for there’s plenty of listening to do, ’cause I have a tingle-ing, sing-along tale for telling to you and all you, of those singular friends on that muddle-y farm and the gangerly Gongorank, too. Chorus Now the farmhouse stands on a high-hatted hill, with a crankly castle just beyond, and a sparkly stream runs by a tumbly hedge, through the sedge, to the Hodge-Podge Pond.
Chorus Well, on one fine evening, when the sun had gone to bed, funny Farmer Fuddle put his hat upon his head, and he called to Tibbles, Farmer Hurry, tubby tabby Tibbles! Chorus And he called to Cobbles, Farmer Come on, curly Collie Cobbles! Chorus And they went a-wander past the end of the verandah, made a marvellous meander down to Hodge-Podge Pond, where the birds were all a-chirping, with their cheeky-chappy cheeping, happy creatures creeping on their sleepy way to bed.
Narr [recit] But look! What’s this? All of a soon-sudden, out of the Pond’s End Wood comes a slowly weepy-creeping creature who looks like their funny, frizzy friend. It’s sort of like the Gongorank, but no, it’s low, and sloppy slow, and somehow not quite so. Chorus The Gongorank went padding-pudding up and downing, fruppish frowning, gave several sizeable sighs. Gongorank Ah me, ah my, ah mo, ah mum! Ha-he-ho and hapless hum. Narrator They saw his lips go flitter-flutter, they heard him stutter, mutter, utter one utterly worrisome word ... Gongorank COME! Ch, F, T, C, G Through the willows, down the hollows, for a while, single file, very slowly, very shyly, with a steady, ready tread. FF, Tib, Cob We’re following after our chum, you see, our chum who is silent and glum, dear me, the top of the pile, the best by a mile—we’re following after the Gongorank.
Narrator Then on a moisty, mossy bank they reached his messy cubby-nest, a sort of heap of sticks and stones. The gloomy, glumsome Gongorank sat plumpy down and beat his chest, and told a tale with moans and groans.
![songs for long weekends song cycle for treble choir selections premiered by the bendigo middle years voices dir: Jennifer schatzle, piano peter butler music peter butler, text mark garner](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453277785031-JPRZH46RF0XOGFD2RTQ0/image-asset.jpeg)
songs for long weekends song cycle for treble choir selections premiered by the bendigo middle years voices dir: Jennifer schatzle, piano peter butler music peter butler, text mark garner
Synopsis: The Songs For Long Weekends cycle takes a satirical look at Australian National days and holidays. It begins on New Year's Day with the text ‘We start the year the way we intend to go along: we spend its very first day on barbies (BBQ’s), wine and song.’ On Labour Day we celebrate the fact that we don't do any work. The Republicans voice their opposition in the Queen’s Birthday song. Other days receive similarly probing and contrary viewpoints. The great Australian tradition of placing a wager at the Melbourne Cup—Cup Day— receives a suitably humorous treatment. The song itself is a race call, building in pitch towards the photo finish. On a more serious note Anzac Day is a poignant account of the legacy of war on each of us. Whereas a number of the songs have been performed in concert, the complete cycle has never been presented as a whole.
Music: Peter Butler, Libretto: Mark Garner, Composed for The Bendigo Middle Years Singers. Conductor: Jennifer Schatzle, Piano: Peter Butler.
1. New Year’s Day / Australia Day 2. Labour Day 3. Anzac Day 4. Queen’s Birthday 5. Royal Melbourne Show 6. Melbourne Cup.
The workers in Victoria’s day toiled all day long for lit-tle pay, till labour unions had their way and instituted La-bour Day. Then, life was short and work was tough—till work-ers said, “We’ve had enough, we’ll fight for legislation to give the work-force liberty; the work-ing classes’ goal will be a fairer occupation.” From Ho-bart Town to Back of Burke the move-ment swelled and workers pressed with fierce determination for eight hours’ work, for eight hours’ work, for eight hours’ rest, for eight hours’ rest, and eight hours’ recreation. And ever since that glorious day when marching masses led the way, our March weekend is here to stay—we never work, we nev-er work on Labour Day.
An Early History of Song
![an early history of song song cycle for treble choir premiered by the Golden voices choir dir: Peter Butler](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453278249616-44CA7GQV54AAE8NMUE3P/image-asset.jpeg)
an early history of song song cycle for treble choir premiered by the Golden voices choir dir: Peter Butler
Synopsis: An Early History of Song reveals in a very ‘tongue-in-cheek’ manner the forgotten history of song between the Big Bang and the era of the Cro-Magnon man. ‘In the beginning, before the bang of cosmic fission, in the beginning, God began a composition. Nothing was anything, and everything was nothing but a formless lump of dough’. So begins An Early History Of Song. The first seven days of creation are presented as Creation’s Octave Do, Re, Me, Fa, So, La and Ti. In The Dawn Chorus the cave dwellers discover song. They continue their quest for a suitable subjects to sing about; ‘Gladness, passion, grief, and wrongs’ in The Song Of Songs. These forgotten songsmiths consider their fate; ‘Poor dead and bur-ied tune-smith me, from three millennia B. C’, in The Neolithic Blues. Finally, they sing for the sheer joy of the experience in The Ode the Cro-Magnon Man; ‘Oh, Cro-Magnon man, how you light my inner fire with your Mesolithic masculinity, and your rough stone tools more than any I desire—Let’s explore our human consanguinity!’
Music: Peter Butler, Libretto: Mark Garner, Composed for The Golden Voices. Golden Square Secondary College Choir. Piano Peter Butler.
1. Creation’s octave Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti/Do 2. Dawn Chorus 3. The Song of Songs 4. The Neolithic Blues 5. An ode to Cro-Magnon man 6. Reprise – Song of Songs
God speaks the life-creating words That fill the skies with flying birds,That fashion fish to lurk and leap, Flashing and flitting through the deep, And stocks the world from west to east With every kind of earthly beast, From dinosaurs with spiny wings To tiny microscopic things. They swim at large through surging seas, They soar and skim among the trees. They hunt in daylight hours and dark, They sing and whistle, roar, and bark;
IL VELO Verdi mini opera for SATB Choir
![il velo opera for SATB chorus arrangements of arias by puccini arr: peter butler english text translations peter butler](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453278830663-HGDND3GPITEM6BT0EF8B/image-asset.jpeg)
il velo opera for SATB chorus arrangements of arias by puccini arr: peter butler english text translations peter butler
Synopsis: Il Velo is a short opera for SATB with a script connecting the arias. The story is a classic tragic Verdi saga of arranged marriage winning out over true love with subsequent fatal consequences. Using a selection of the most loved arias I have interwoven short, spoken scenes in the style of actual scenes from Verdi operas. There are no soloists, only the choir, from whose ranks come the speaking/acting roles. All of the arias have been transposed to fit within comfortable SATB singing ranges. The tenor parts in particular rarely go above middle C. Rosina is betrothed to marry King Carlos of Spain, but her real amor is Roberto, a soldier in the King’s regiment, whom she meets at a lavish party thrown by the regiment. Rosina consults the fortune-teller Garcia to see what her fate will be. Unfortunately Carlos overhears her consultation and swears revenge. He exacts his revenge and Roberto dies in Rosina’s arms. In her grief she takes the veil and enters a convent, where her beauty can do no further harm.
SATB Arrangements, libretto and English lyric translations: Peter Butler.
1. Eri tu che macchiavi quell’anima Masked Ball 2. Volta la terreaMasked Ball 3. Elle ne m’aime pasDon Carlos 4. O Don Fatale Part #1Don Carlos 5. Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro Otello 6. La Donna e mobile Rigoletto 7. Libiamo ne’lieti calici Traviata 8. Di tale amor che dirsiTravatore 9. Prega per chi'adorando Otello 10. Chanson de Voile Don Carlos Su profetessa Di tu fidele Masked Ball O Don Fatale Part #2 Don Carlos.
La donna è mobile performed by Peter Butler: piano, Jenny Gogolin: flute, Pamela Jackson, Merrin Torpy, Jessie Austin: Sopranos, Rob Blum: Baritone
The Marriage of Papageno
![the marriage of papageno opera for SATB chorus arrangements of arias by mozart arr: peter butler english text translations peter butler](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453423767281-5S2Z7C2A37GRXCQ8RHL6/image-asset.jpeg)
the marriage of papageno opera for SATB chorus arrangements of arias by mozart arr: peter butler english text translations peter butler
Synopsis: The Marriage of Papageno is a faux-Mozart opera with a humorous twist. Using a selection of the most loved arias I have interwoven short, spoken scenes in the style of actual scenes from Mozart operas. There are no soloists, only the choir, from whose ranks come the speaking/acting roles. All of the arias have been transposed to fit within comfortable SATB singing ranges. The tenor parts in particular rarely go above middle C. Don Alfonso is wreaking havoc with all the young ladies. His long-suffering wife Despina, enlists Cherubino to help her catch him in the act. Don Alfonso mistakenly sidles up to The Queen of the night, who takes great and loud offence to his proposition. However, The Queen of the night catches Papageno’s eye and a new romance blossoms. Don Alfonso repents his ways, or does he truly? Cherubino finally admits that he is really a young woman and takes up with Tamino. All is resolved in a most Mozartean yet unlikely fashion.
Mozart Mini opera for SATB choir (45 min) SATB Arrangements, libretto and English lyric translations: Peter Butler.
Arias: 1. Il Catalogue è Questo #1Il Catalogue è Questo #2 Giovanni2. Der Vögelfänger Flute 3. De vieni alla finestra Giovanni4. La ci darem la mano Giovanni5. Voi Che Sapete Figaro 6. Ein Madschen Weibschen Flute 7. Fin Ch'han Dal Vino Giovanni8. Der Hölle Rache kocht Flute 9. Soave Sia il Vento Cosi 10. Non Più Andrai Figaro
Voi che Sapete: Pamela Jackson soprano, Peter Butler piano. Live recording. Bendigo Art Gallery 5/12/15
Peter Butler translation and english lyrics of the SATB arrangement: You who are blessed with love’s potent charm, What are these raptures here in my heart, what are these raptures deep in my heart? Tremors engulf me, fear and delight, feelings overwhelm me, morn, noon and night. Floods of affection, waves of desire, Cool and refreshing, burning like fire. Pleasure and suff’ring tear at my soul. How can such anguish hold me in thrall? When shall I find it, who holds the key? Where will it lead me, What can it be? Sighing and groaning, I cannot fight, I shake and tremble throughout the night, My peace is shattered all through the day, But never, never, take this away. You who are blessed with love’s potent charm, What are these raptures here in my heart, what are these raptures deep in my heart?
Non piu andrai. English lyrics, SATB arrangement, Peter Butler:
Now your days as Adonis are ended, And your nights of philandering suspended. From now on you’ll be fine and upstanding A respectable husband and wife. We no longer will strut our long feathers, No more buckles, no wide bows and braces. No more need for these curls and long tresses Blushing cheeks we no longer require. Now no more, those pretty feathers. Gallant clothing, flowing tresses, Farewell decoration.
Now your days as Adonis are ended, And your nights of philandering suspended. From now on you’ll be fine and upstanding A respectable husband and wife. Off to marriage and contentment. Happy wife and happy husband, Find a patron, earn a living, Run a household, raise the children, Do the shopping, stock the larder, Watch the budget, save every penny, Save every penny, save every penny. And instead of chasing ladies. Soiled nappies, crying babies. Waking early in the morning, So exhausted, always yawning Growing family profusion, Den of chaos and confusion, Say farewell to peace and quiet, Now that you are man and wife.
12 Christmas Carols for SATB Choirs.
12 Christmas Carols for choirs SATB Unaccompanied with flute descants. In a range of keys. Obbligato flute part and SATB arrangements: Peter Butler.
1. We Wish you a Merry Christmas. 2. While Shepherds Watched.. 3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. 4. Silent Night. 5. O Little Babe of Bethlehem. 6. The First Nowell. 7. Mary’s Boy Child. 8. Angels we have heard on high. 9. Ding! Dong! Merrily on High. 10. Once in Royal David’s City. 11. Away in a Manger. 12. The Three Drovers.
![A Capella Christmas Carols for Choirs SATB Arranged by Peter Butler Includes Flute obbligato Descants](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453427332360-DZ0FQVD2ZY5MJMZ3ZYU0/image-asset.jpeg)
A Capella Christmas Carols for Choirs SATB Arranged by Peter Butler Includes Flute obbligato Descants
Quadrato d'oro
![quadrato d’oro ‘Golden square’ opera for SATB chorus arrangements of arias by verdi arr: peter butler english text translations peter butler](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453428012845-AF8CZR8JYFYHOVCEK7H7/image-asset.jpeg)
quadrato d’oro ‘Golden square’ opera for SATB chorus arrangements of arias by verdi arr: peter butler english text translations peter butler
Synopsis: Quadrato D’oro (Golden Square) is a short opera for SATB with a script connecting the arias. The story is in the style of a modern Puccini early century opera. Using a selection of the most loved arias I have interwoven short, spoken scenes in the style of actual scenes from Puccini operas. There are no soloists, only the choir, from whose ranks come the speaking/acting roles. All of the arias have been transposed to fit within comfortable SATB singing ranges. The tenor parts in particular rarely go above middle C. The script is under construction. The choir arrangement and lyrics are complete and can be sung as concert items in their own right. Each arrangement adheres to the original score strictly. Nothing is added or removed, apart from the expansion of the harmonies in the choral part.
Quadrato D’Oro Golden Square. Puccini mini opera for SATB choir (50 min). SATB Arrangements, libretto and English lyric translations: Peter Butler.
1. Sola Perduta, Manon, 2. Che Gelida Boheme, 3. Amaro Sol per te,Tosca, 4. O Dolci Mani, Tosca, 5. Visi d’arte, Tosca, 6. Ancora un passo, Butterfly, 7. Un bel di vedremo, Butterfly, 8. Dalla mia casa, Fanciulla, 9. No, Minnie, non piangete, Fanciulla, 10. Nessum Dorma, Turandot.
Nessum Dorma – Turandot, Puccini, SATB arrangement English Lyrics ©Peter Butler: Nessun Dorma, No-one’s sleeping. Sleep will not come o princess, not to your lonely chamber. Look, how the stars all tremble with expectation, of love impending. My secret, in my heart re-sides, No-one shall know my name, but you, just you when day-light comes, when daylight comes. When day-light beckons, you shall know. At dawn I’ll kiss your lips and melt the silence. Then you’ll be mine. No-one will know my name, but you, No-one will know my name princess, but you. O night, begone! Stars now cease your glowing, Stars now cease your glowing, at day-break you shall know, You shall know, you shall know, you shall know.
Polish Cantata
![polish cantata arrangements of chopin etudes for SAtb chorus by peter butler](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1453444859435-Y1GUYIO5K8WWTZ3ZID6O/image-asset.jpeg)
polish cantata arrangements of chopin etudes for SAtb chorus by peter butler
Synopsis: The Polish Cantata takes as its starting point, the études of Chopin. The accompaniments are slightly reduced original études. There are a number of soloist roles. At this stage the lyrics are incomplete. All of the arias have been transposed to fit within comfortable SATB singing ranges. The tenor parts in particular rarely go above middle C.
Polish Cantata. 12 ChopinÉtudes arr. For SATB chorus. SATB arrangements: Peter Butler. (Lyrics not complete)
1. Op. 25 No. 1 Ab Major Alto & Chorus, 2. Op. 10 No. 3 E Major Soprano & Chorus, 3. Op. 25 No. 9 Gb Major Soloist & Chorus, 4. Op. 10 No. 9 F Minor Soprano Baritone & Chorus, 5. Op. 10 No. 4 C# Minor Chorus, 6. Op. 10 No. 6 Eb Minor Baritone & Chorus, 7. Op. 10 No. 7 C Major Section solos & Chorus, 8. Op. 10 No. 11 Eb Major Chorus, 9. Op. 10 No. 1 C Major Chorus, 10. Op. 25 No. 4 A Minor Section solos & Chorus, 11. Op. 25 No. 5 E Minor Alto & Chorus, 12. Op. 25 No. 7 C# Minor Baritone & Chorus, 13. Op. 10 No. 12 C Minor All soloists & Chorus.
Three songs for SATB Choirs
![thrree songs for satb chorus the island, freefall and luna bella by andrée cozens arranged by peter butler](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/568b4acda2bab8d57517c28b/1454882559892-1JGR9S36BC318G5E15PZ/image-asset.jpeg)
thrree songs for satb chorus the island, freefall and luna bella by andrée cozens arranged by peter butler
Three songs for SATB Chous. Text and Melodies by Andrée Cozens, Arrangement by Peter Butler. 1. The Island, 2.Freefall,.3. Luna Bella