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| ~Osiris~
|
By Thomas Byron Parks Ver.
2 ©
2002
From a papyrus of Nehkt, a Royal Scribe, in the British Museum (No.16.471)
It is Thuau, Nehkt's sister at right, who sings "A Song for Osiris" in the ballet.
Click to hear "Song for Osiris"
Sung by Sharon Dickerson
Click to hear "The Nile"
Click to hear "The Sea"
Click to hear "The Marshes"
Click here to hear "Osiris Ballet Suite"
(74 of 140 Min. as MP3)
From a papyrus of Nehkt, a Royal Scribe, in the British Museum (No.16.471)
It is Thuau, Nehkt's sister at right, who sings "A Song for Osiris" in the ballet.
Click to hear "Song for Osiris"
Sung by Sharon Dickerson
Click to hear "The Nile"
Click to hear "The Sea"
Click to hear "The Marshes"
Click here to hear "Osiris Ballet Suite"
(74 of 140 Min. as MP3)
Cast &
Prologue:
Before the time of
the Pyramids, Osiris returns to Egypt
from a lengthy trip abroad. The People welcome him because he
rules with justice. He taught them to build implements of agriculture,
to
direct the waters of the Nile, and to make beer and wine.
He loves music and
dance. He is the son of the Earth God
Keb and the Sky Goddess Nut,
themselves children of Ra the Sun God.
Isis is both his sister and
his wife as was the custom for Kings. She
is beloved by the People. She taught them to mill wheat, to make bread,
and to weave linen. She ruled egypt in
Osiris’ absence. Nephthys is their younger sister. Set is their younger
brother. Aso is the Queen of Ethiopia. Nekht is the “Scribe and
Inspector of Soldiers.” Thuau, known as “The Singing
Woman of Amen” is Nekht’s sister. Melkarth & Astarie are the King and Queen
of Syria.
The Crocodiles are the Crocodile Gods.
| CD; |
Act
/ Scene: |
|
| 1. | Overture | |
|
2 . |
Act 1 / Scene 1 | The People & Isis gather for Osiris’ return from abroad. |
| 3.
|
Act 1 / Scene 2 | Osiris returns…The Entrance March. |
| 4. |
Act 1 / Scene 3 | Osiris greets the People & Isis. He reassumes the Throne of Egypt. |
| 5. |
Entr’acte Act | Act 1/3 to Act 2/1 |
| 6.
|
Act 2 / Scene 1 | The pas de deux…Au trios (Set spies on them. |
| 7.
|
Act 2 / Scene 2 | Set and Aso plot after Set’s Men bring in an ornamental che |
| 8.
|
Act 2 / Scene 3 | In
a game at Set’s Party:,
Osiris
is trapped in the
chest, cast into the Nile, and drowned. "A Song for Osiris" Soprano: Sharon Dickerson |
| Intermission 1 | ||
| 9.
|
Act 3 / Scene
1 |
Isis escapes. Set assumes the Throne. |
| 10. | Act 3 / Scene 2 | Isis mourns. She tears her hair and rends her garments. |
| 11. | Act 3 / Scene 3 | Isis searches
the Nile in a boat. The People
join her. Children tell of seeing the chest washed out to sea. |
| 12. | Act 3 / Scene 4 | Isis searches
the Sea in her ship. There is a storm. After 7 years, she finds the chest at Babylos in Syria. |
| 13. | Act 3 / Scene 5 | In Babylos,
Queen Astarte persuades King
Melkarth to give up the chest. |
| 14. | Act 3 / Scene 6 | Isis and the
People, fearing Set, bury Osiris at a secret funeral. |
| 15. | Act 3 / Scene 7 |
On a
hunting trip, Set finds the grave and is angered.
He seizes a battle-axe and chops Osiris’ body into 14 pieces. He has them scattered throughout Egypt. |
| Intermission 2 | ||
| 16.
|
Act 4 / Scene 1 | Nepthys brings the news to Isis, who mourns again. |
| 17 | Act 4 / Scene 2 | Isis again
searches the Nile. She finds parts of Osiris’ body and wraps them in linen. |
| 18 | Act 4 / Scene 3 | Isis searches
the Marshes in a boat The Crocodile Gods let her pass. She finds more parts. |
| 19.
|
Act 4 / Scene 4 | Isis, daughter
of the Sky Goddess Nut, takes the form of a bird. She flies over the desert. Nepthys joins her. They find the last parts, bind them together, forming a mummy. |
| 20.
|
Act 4 / Scene 5 | Isis
fans Osiris' body with her wings, falls upon him, &
breaths life into him. He is resurrected! They make love & Isis receives his seed! |
| 21.
|
Act 4 / Scene 6 | They dance a final pas de deux. |
| 22. | Act 4 / Scene 7 | The
Finale…Osiris becomes the God of the Underworld. He will judge the Dead, and allow access to the Afterlife. |
| Isis
will bear Osiris a
son, Horus, who will grow up to avenge his father in a great battle with Set. ...But that;s another story... |
A Song for Osiris
Lyrics by Thomas Parks © 2002
Hail Osiris son of Ra, who brought his people out of darkness.
He hath shown us ways to change, the Nile's great floods from bane to blessing.
Taught us dams and dykes and levees. Tamed the Nile to irrigation.
Fashuined tools to till the soil, and grow the food to feed a nation.
See the flood plains bloom and blossem. Egypt is the land of plenty.
Strong in war and just in peace, he brings us dance and songs of gladness.
Osiris, may you reign, forever, King!
If
you represent
a legitimate ballet
company, that is interested
in choreographing and producing Osiris, contact me. I would make every effort to provide scores,
part extractions, CDs of
the music, and to help in any way I could....including staying out of
your
way. The "Osiris" ballet score, at 480 pages of 25 staff
music, is too large for downloading, or free distribution. ThomasParks2@aol.com
If you are interested in Osiris, read "Osiris & The Egyptian Ressurection"
by E.A.Wallis Bludge, Dover Publiciations, Inc.