The Visitors - A Children's Oratorio

the_visitors

Originally composed for a performance in 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, The Visitors is a large-scale oratorio for children's choir, a narrator, a child-solo, mezzo soprano, tenor and baritone soloists and full symphonic orchestra. It can alternatively be performed with a small 'pop' ensemble as an alternative to the orchestra and the work lasts for approximately 75 minutes.
'A beautifully moving piece that addresses the fact that humans will always return to war as a way to sort their differences, or is there another way?'

For more information, contact us here

Songs    Videos   

Morning/The Dream of Three Generations
It's Amazing What You Do
The Visitors Are Here
What Can We Do For You?
The Hounds of War
Ave Imperator
That's Not War
Reds and Blues
Words
We're Planning a Trip
Here we are
My Great Granddad's Photograph
Lessons in the Art of War

Morning/The Dream of Three Generations
It's Amazing What You Do
The Visitors Are Here
What Can We Do For You?
The Hounds of War
Ave Imperator
That's Not War
Reds and Blues
Words
We're Planning a Trip
Here we are
My Great Granddad's Photograph
Lessons in the Art of War

Themes
Since 1945 there has never been a single moment when part of the world has not been involved in some sort of conflict.

This Oratorio is written to comment on the fact that no matter what the Human Race goes through it still returns, for whatever reason, to War. As we all know, the majority of casualties of conflicts are the innocent parties – mainly women and children.
Many people these days seem to be searching or waiting for some external agency to come along and solve all the problems. Perhaps that will happen, perhaps it won’t. Perhaps children and young people need to find a way to learn that History doesn’t necessary need to repeat itself over and over again. Perhaps The Visitors will never come. Perhaps they’re already here.

Personel
Chorus A – these are also The Reds in ACT II
Chorus B – also The Blues in ACT II
Three main soloists (Everyman):
A Child (Boy or girl with a Teddy Bear)
A Parent (Mezzo-soprano)
A Grandparent (Baritone)
Solo Voices from the Chorus to sing the News in ACT I (up to 5 singers)
The Visitors – a separate choir above the other singers (Possibly a quartet -  males & females)
The Emperor - A Tenor
Narrator – a non-singing part

Morning/The Dream of Three Generations from The Visitors