Gr. 4-5: Experienced-Advanced         Duration: ca. 6:50

Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd was based on the original opera The Barber of Seville by Gioacchino Rossini. Rather than tell the direct story of the musical/opera, The Barber recreates scene settings that rely on familiar musical productions to take us through three large scenes.

In the first movement, we introduce the “barbers.” We begin with the "Prelude/Opening Title" from Sweeney Todd, followed by The Barber of Seville intertwined with "Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance" and "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber. These pieces all explore the themes of violence, revenge, and love, which are central to the story of Sweeney Todd.

The second movement focuses on the “scene” of Sweeney Todd and Johanna from the musical. This is a forbidden love, as Johanna is the daughter of Judge Turpin, who has wronged Sweeney Todd in the past. The music for this movement includes "Johanna" from Sweeney Todd and "The Grand Finale" from Edward Scissorhands by Danny Elfman.

The end of the show is slash and dash and recreates scenes from the first two productions, as well as the Bugs Bunny take on The Barber of Seville. This movement is a celebration of the barbering arts, and the power of music to tell a story.

• Part 1 (ca. 2:35)
• Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber
• Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance - Samuel Barber
• The Barber of Seville - Gioacchino Rossini
• Prelude/Opening Title, from Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Stephen Sondheim
• Part 2 (ca. 2:05)
• The Grand Finale, from Edward Scissorhands - Danny Elfman
  
• Johanna, from Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Stephen Sondheim
• Part 3 (ca. 2:10)
• Edwardo The Barber, from Edward Scissorhands - Danny Elfman
• The Barber of Seville – Gioacchino Rossini

INSTRUMENTATION

• Piccolo
• Flute 1/2
• Clarinet 1/2
• Bass Clarinet
• Alto Sax 1/2
• Tenor Sax
• Baritone Sax
• Trumpet 1/2/3
• Horn 1/2
• Low Brass 1/2/3
• Tuba

• Snare Drum
• Tenor Drums
• Bass Drums (4 & 5)
• Xylophone/Bells
  
• Vibraphone 1/2
• Marimba 1/2
• Aux. Percussion 1/2
• Synthesizer 1/2