A Child of Our Time - Synopsis and Structure

Synopsis and Structure

According to Tippett's description, "Part I of the work deals with the general state of oppression in our time. Part II presents the particular story of a young man's attempt to seek justice by violence and the catastrophic consequences; and Part III considers the moral to be drawn, if any." He later extended his summary to the following:

  • Part I: The general state of affairs in the world today as it affects all individuals, minorities, classes or races that are felt to be outside the ruling conventions. Man at odds with his Shadow (i.e. the dark side of personality).
  • Part II: The "Child of Our Time" appears, enmeshed in the drama of his personal fate and the elemental social forces of our day. The drama is due to the fact that the forces which drive the young man prove stronger than the good advice of his uncle and aunt, as it always was and always will be.
  • Part III: The significance of this drama and the possible healing that would come from Man’s acceptance of his Shadow in relation to his Light.

Part I

1. Chorus: "The world turns on its dark side"

2. The Argument (alto solo): "Man has measured the heavens", followed by an orchestral Interludium

3. Scena (chorus and alto solo): "Is evil then good?"

4. The Narrator (bass solo): "Now in each nation there were some cast out"

5. Chorus of the Oppressed: "When shall the usurer's city cease?"

6. Tenor solo: "I have no money for my bread"

7. Soprano solo: "How can I cherish my man?"

8. A Spiritual (chorus and soli): "Steal Away"

Part II

9. Chorus: "A star rises in midwinter"

10. The Narrator (bass solo): "And a time came"

11. Double Chorus of Persecutors and Persecuted: "Away with them!"

12. The Narrator (bass solo): "Where they could, they fled"

13. Chorus of the Self-righteous: "We cannot have them in our Empire"

14. The Narrator (bass solo): "And the boy's mother wrote"

15. Scena: The Mother (soprano), the Uncle and Aunt (bass and alto), and the Boy (tenor): "O my son!"

16. A Spiritual (chorus and soli): "Nobody knows the trouble I see"

17. Scena: Duet (bass and alto): "The boy becomes desperate"

18. The Narrator (bass solo): "They took a terrible vengeance"

19. Chorus: The Terror: "Burn down their houses!"

20. The Narrator (bass solo): "Men were ashamed"

21. A Spiritual of Anger (chorus and bass solo): "Go down, Moses"

22. The Boy Sings in his Prison (tenor solo): "My dreams are all shattered"

23. The Mother (soprano solo): "What have I done to you, my son?"

24. Alto solo: "The dark forces rise"

25. A Spiritual (chorus and soprano solo): "O by and by"

Part III

26. Chorus: "The cold deepens"

27. Alto solo: "The soul of man"

28. Scena (bass solo and chorus): "The words of wisdom"

29. General Ensemble (chorus and soli): "I would know my shadow and my light"

30. A Spiritual (chorus and soli): "Deep river"

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