Nightingale

Nightingale: A New Musical is a musical (described by the composer as a children's opera) in one act, with book, music and lyrics by Charles Strouse. It is based on Hans Christian Andersen's 1843 fairy tale, "The Nightingale", and tells the story of a Chinese emperor who learns, nearly too late, that wealth cannot buy happiness. The work premiered at the Buxton Festival and then in London at the Lyric Hammersmith beginning on December 18, 1982, with a cast including Sarah Brightman as the title character, Nightingale. In the U.S. a fully staged production of the show was given by the First All Children's Theatre in New York in May 1982 with sets by Oliver Smith, costumes by Christine Andrews, and lighting by Victor En Yu Tan The group then gave a preview of the work in New York in March 1983 before the North American premiere at "The Barns" at Wolf Trap, Virginia, in April 1983. Since then, the show has been performed numerous times throughout the world. A cast album was released in 1985 with the London cast. Musical numbers Prologue – Orchestra Perfect Harmony – Company Why Am I So Happy? – The Maid Take Us To the Forest – Company Who Are These People – Nightingale Never Speak Directly to an Emperor – Palace Guards Nightingale – Company The Emperor is a Man – The Maid I Was Lost – Emperor / Nightingale Charming – Two Peacocks A Singer Must Be Free – Nightingale The Mechanical Bird – The Company / Mechanical Bird Please Don't Make Me Hear That Song Again – Company / Mechanical Bird Rivers Cannot Flow Upwards – The Maid, Nightingale Death Duet – Death, Emperor, Maid and Nightingale We Are China – Company