Tom Flaherty

Composition

The Miser

(2007) 40 min.

soprano, tenor, piano

Text by Moliere, translated by Timothy Mooney

Music for Moliere’s The Miser.
music by Tom Flaherty
Lyrics drawn from Timothy Mooney's
rhymed adaptation of "The Miser," © 1997
Pieter van Zyl, musical director and pianist

Audio

1. Prologue
2. My love, I fear
Ah, that we must assume
4. Be off with you
I'll never trust that limping malefactor
6. Oh, wicked son
7. How do you dare
8. Oh there's no doubt
9. My father could not make a fairer choice
10. I, then, will speak on your behalf
11. Of course I'm right
12. Stop thief
13. Know you, to your confusion
14. Oh yes, my children
Tis done
1. Prologue – piano- Harpagon hides 10,000 crowns in the garden.
2. My love, I fear – Elise questions the prospects of her relationship with Valere, who tries to dissuade her concerns.
3. Ah, that we must assume – Valere explains how he intends to humor Harpagon (Elise’s father)
4. Be off with you! – Harpagon accuses his servant La Fleche of stealing and perhaps inspires him to do so.
5. I'll never trust that limping malefactor! – Harpagon criticizes La Fleche and dreams of his one true love, until the children arrive.
6. Chorus sings of "10,000 crowns.
7. Oh, wicked son!–Harpagon criticizes his son Cleante for his extravagance.
8. How do you dare – Harpagon and Cleante discover their roles as mystery lender and borrower.
8. Oh there's no doubt–Frosine explains what a fine and economical match Marianne would be.
10. The company celebrates Marianne's fine qualities with energetic dancing.
11. My father could not make a fairer choice –Cleante, in love with Marianne, pretends to sing on his father's behalf
12. I, then, will speak on your behalf - Cleante, at his father’s insistence, tries another tack.
13. Of course I'm right – Frosine and the chorus sing of Harpagon’s one true love. Extensively.
14. Stop thief! – Harpagon discovers his money has been stolen.