Album Notes

The Education of Ebenezer Scrooge is, first of all, a concert vehicle for mixed chorus and soloists. Secondly, it is a faithful retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol employing a narrator, 12 readers (who neither act nor sing) and a mime. Thirdly, it is a community event which is intended to promote the active participation of many different members of that community. 

Throughout the two acts of this 90 minute performance, the chorus is at the heart of the story – as carolers, as the voice of the poor, as enthusiastic square dancers, as personification of the thoughts and actions of the principal characters themselves. The musical score contains eleven original numbers: eight for chorus (two of which also include soloists), a duet, a trio and a quartet. These account for 45 minutes of vocal music – one half of the production time. Additionally the chorus supplies background sound effects and incidental music during the recitation and individual chorus members are called upon to assume brief speaking roles as well.

The performance recorded here is the premiere performance given by the St. Stephen\'s School Chorus and Faculty on December 12, 2007 at the School\'s auditorium in Rome, Italy.

N.B: The video on this DVD is in the European PAL format.