THE BISHOP’S GHOST One-Act Opera Libretto by Henry H. Peyton Music by Don Freund Cast of Characters: The Ghost of Bishop Reinholdt Benson (baritone) The Ghost of Thomas Carson (tenor) The Ghost of Samuel Barker (bass-baritone) The Ghost of Jane Lucas (soprano) The Ghost of Sarah Adamson (mezzo) The Ghost of Lorna Cabot (soprano) The Ghost of Charlotte Dawson (mezzo) The Ghost of Alma Eliot, later Alisa Evans (soprano) Joseph Evans, a printer (baritone) Willy Masters, a plasterer (baritone) Silas Alexander, a sexton (tenor) The cast consists of seven ghosts, three mortals, and one person who, during the course of the action, changes from ghost to mortal. The ghosts are clearly distinguishable as to their facial features, physical characteristics, and attitudes. The difference between them and the mortals (all are dressed in period clothes) is that the ghosts have a uniformly luminous white appearance. They glow in the dark or in the half-light before dawn. In full light, they appear completely white-hair, skin, and clothes. The most prominent ghost is Bishop Reinholdt Benson. His age is about 60. He is plump, and he usually has a pleasant expression on his face. He is alert with a practical mind, and he is dedicated to his everpresent sense of propriety and self-esteem. His good qualities served him well during the 20 years, which he spent as priest of the Church of the Resurrection before he became a bishop. Bishop Benson was never noted for his scholarship, but he was commended on many occasions for his patience and kindliness, as well as for his devotion to his parishioners. When the bishop died, he was mourned by the entire community. Thomas Carson is a 40-year-old ghost. He is of average build and is noted for his high animal spirits. When he lived, he was a painter and carpenter. He was married and had two children whom he loved but neglected because he was devoted to spending as much time as possible in the local bars. Tom moves always as though he were slightly tipsy. He has an unusually shiny bald head. Samuel Barker is a 35-year-old ghost, Thomas Carson’s drinking companion. Sam suggests and enters into many pranks which he and Carson enjoy. He is a bit fatter than Carson and has a very full head of hair. His general appearance suggests an overgrown cherub. Sam had been a bricklayer by trade. He was married and had three children. He and Tom are good-natured and easy-going.
A 50-year-old ghost, Jane Lucas is fat and jolly. She is quick in movement and in lively response to her environment. Although she was the mother of six children, Jane never lost her youthful attitude. Now, as a ghost, she is full of vigor and enjoys the pranks which she plays as she roams about at night. At 55 years of age, Sarah Adamson is a very handsome woman. Even as a ghost, she reveals admirable characteristics — a stately carriage, a kind disposition, and a happy facial expression. She had been the wife of a prosperous gold and silversmith and the mother of four children. She occupied a position of respect in the town, just as she now does among her fellow ghosts. As a 45-year-old ghost, Lorna Cabot looks just as she must have looked for years. She is extremely thin and wiry. Her face is long, as is her nose, and she resembles a bird of prey, poised ready to peck at newly found flesh; Lorna never married, nor did she have but one date in her entire life. She is a busybody, her chief interest being those who lead the type of life she never knew. Charlotte Dawson is a young ghost, 20 years old. She is pretty and lively. In fact, she appears to have led a happy life. Charlotte has a round, sensuous figure. Though she is not fat, she has a well developed, sexy body. Her walk and general attitude are those of a woman who is very much aware of her femininity. She is a dreamer, a romantic. Before she died, her days were filled with the attentions of her admirers. The ghost of Alma Eliot is 18 years old. Alma is easily contrasted with Charlotte, for Alma is slim and reserved. She is a beautiful girl who died shortly after being jilted by the one great love of her life. She is melancholy, though she is kind and sweet. When she is transformed from the ghost Alma Eliot to the mortal Alisa Evans, it is a matter of removing the unearthly whiteness of her ghostliness so that the true beauty of the living girl can be seen. Alma is quietly radiant as a ghost, and Alisa is equally radiant as a living person. The printer, Joseph Evans, is 40 years old. He is a devout and humble man who is devoted to family life. He is thin, and his clothing, though neat, is slightly shabby. Near the church is his house where he lives with his only child, Alisa, the mother having died some years ago. The 30-year-old plasterer, Willy Masters, is full of youthful good spirits. He seems to enjoy every minute of being alive. His pleasant disposition is contagious wherever he goes. Silas Alexander, the sexton, is 50 years old. His mere presence suggests comedy of a gentle type. He takes his work seriously, but he is not overly enthusiastic when extra work comes his way. He is by nature superstitious, always being a bit afraid that the dead in the cemetery will come to life. Setting The scene is the churchyard of the Church of the Resurrection. The time is the late eighteenth century. As the curtain rises, the stage is engulfed by swirling mists which obscure the set. The ghosts enter from the wings, from the audience, or both, depending upon the arrangement of the interior of the theater. As the ghosts enter, the mists begin to clear until, with the entrance of Alma, the set is completely visible through a thin curtain of fog, which soon disappears entirely. In the background is the door of the Church of the Resurrection, at one time an imposing structure, but now showing evidence of decay. Through the gloom are seen the outlines of old, cracked and crumbling tombs. Just left of stage center, a tomb more elaborate than the others dominates the setting. On the front of the large tomb is the inscription Bishop Reinholdt Benson. Other tombs bear the names Samuel Barker, Thomas Carson, Sarah Adamson, Lorna Cabot, Charlotte Dawson, and Jane Lucas. To the far left is the tomb of Alma Eliot. To the right is an altar on which candles burn. At the side of this is a stone bench. As each ghost enters, he carefully examines his tomb, then moves about the churchyard, at times swiftly, at times slowly, exchanging a word from time to time with the other ghosts. The ghosts repeat the singing of “Ah” individually, and subsequently together as they work into a chorus. They appear anxious to share their experiences with each other, for they are just returning front their nightly escapades.
Ghosts: Ah! Ah! Ah! The night is short, the day is long, Now we must sing our good-day song And lull our spirits to sleep. We’ve flown about and had some fun We’ve had a tight race with the sun The night is at an end. So it’s back to the tomb which is our home To get our rest — the tomb’s our home, we dare not roam When the sexton’s near the church. Sam: Did you see old Mike the barkeep When he lost the beer he’d drawn? Beside himself with fear he was. As fast as he would fill a glass, Tom and I would drink it. Tom: He even called the waitress To help him fill the mugs She thought Old Will had drunk it Accused him to his face Though she couldn’t figure how. Sam and Tom: We killed a gallon at the least Of the best imported beer. If spirits could get tipsy, You’d find two tipsy ones here. Charlotte: Lucy Winston and Jerry Brooks Met by the river tonight; Under an elm they talked of love. He kissed her several times. I rustled the leaves of the old elm tree As music for their starry sky. Love is sweet and youth is dear, And happiness too brief.
Lorna: You may have seen a lovely thing, What I saw was shocking. At midnight the parson’s daughter Climbed boldly out her bedroom window. Stealthily she made her way Out to the nearby road. Patiently she waited and waited Expecting who knows whom!
Planning who knows what! Scandalous behavior! Immoral deed! The young today are disgusting! Charlotte: Love is sweet and youth is dear, And happiness too brief. Sarah: Susie Billings had a fever, Her dreams were filled with fear. The mother quieted the restless child Scarcely slept at all, With Susie in her mother’s arms As near peace as she could be. I watched there the entire night And brushed the hair from Susie’s eyes The gentlest caress I knew. Jane: The banker’s house was a barrel of fun. I rattled the pewter dishes. The old miser’s hair stood straight up By the time I finished with him. I laughed to see him run about Closing shutters and locking doors. Bishop: Alma, come and tell us What you did last night. Let us hear a full account Of how you spent your time. Alma: The night was like a silver dream, A remnant of the past. I wandered in that lovely glen Where John and I used to go. The leaves hang like a canopy, A musical stream is near. When I was John’s one true love We went there on soft nights. His love for me was all too brief, Mine never seemed to change. Our walks ceased when his love stopped, He found a greater devotion, He found another love. I left my heart wrapped in my life Beneath those lovely trees When I was John’s one true love. Ghosts: The night is short, the day is long Now we must sing our good day song--
(The ghosts hum and dance, but their activities are interrupted by the approach of Willy Masters, a plasterer on his way to work. As his whistling is heard, the ghosts withdraw to either side of the stage to watch him. He enters, stops his whistling, and goes to the altar and kneels. He has with him a bucket of plaster and a trowel.)
Willy: Although I’m a poor man, I could be poorer still. My wages feed my body, Keep me warm and male me strong. Although I’ve little money, My work I offer here
To make this place more beautiful With the only skill I know. Today before I go to work I’ll plaster the large tomb, Repair the cracks and make it new To show my thanks to God.
(Willy crosses himself, takes his bucket and trowel and goes to the Bishop’s tomb. He begins to plaster the cracks, smoothing them over one by one. As he works, the Bishop excitedly tries to stop him by brushing aside a lock of Willy’s hair, by twitching his ear, and by holding his hands high and glaring at Willy as if he is commanding him to stop. The plasterer, who reacts to the physical attentions of the Bishop, can neither see nor hear the ghost. By the time the plasterer completes his work, the Bishop is distraught and begins to look frantically from the church door to the path leading into the churchyard. He repeatedly sings that which is foremost in his mind.) Bishop: No! It can’t be! He’s sealing up my tomb My home, my resting place,
My shelter from the sexton I’ve got to stop him Stop! Stop!
(Willy goes on Working completely unaware of tile Bishop’s commands and gestures. The Bishop tries to divert Willy by tickling his ear and mussing his hair. The Bishop slides the bucket away, unnoticed by Willy. Willy reaches for his bucket, misses, reacts with puzzlement and slides the bucket back. Again the Bishop moves the bucket away. Willy reacts as before, and determinedly pulls at the bucket. The Bishop and the other ghosts begin a series of mysterious tricks designed to scare Willy away. Willy, finally scared “to death,’ runs off stage. The Bishop inspects Willy’s work.) Bishop: Too late! He’s finished. The Sexton will soon be here! Oh! The Sexton will soon be here!
There, protected from the water’s power We rest our spirits — Waiting for our night-time fun.
Ghosts: Soon the Sexton will be here. He comes each morning early. Sprinkling holy water everywhere To ward off spirits like us. If his water touches a ghost It’s a frightful thing to see; For we dissolve into rushing air, We simply cease to be. So we hide inside our tombs And safely sleep til sunset,
Bishop: What shall I do? What shall I do? My tomb is plastered over. Willy Masters has sealed my fate I have no-where to hide. Charlotte: Why not dodge and rush about To escape the holy water? Shouldn’t be hard for you to do He sprinkles helter- skelter.
(Charlotte assumes the role of the Sexton, chasing the Bishop, pretending to sprinkle holy water. The Bishop jumps about to avoid Charlotte’s imaginary water ) Bishop: Still I would have no place to sleep, At my age I need my rest.
(Jane approaches the Bishop seductively.)
Plump as I am, my movements are slow. I’d surely be dissolved.
Jane: Reinholdt, you can share with me The tomb that I call home. We could be quite cozy there And you’d be out of range Of the Sexton’s holy water. Bishop: Jane, you’re kind, dear friend, To make this generous offer, But look at us my dear – No one tomb could quite contain Two ghosts as large as we. What scandal might be thought of us If we should live so close? Improper, yes, and outrageous too! A Bishop has his name you know! I have no idea what to do. The dawn is coming soon. Alma: Bishop, I have the answer to your problem. Be my friend and take my tomb To protect you from the Sexton. Last night’s stroll made me think Of all my spirit’s devotion to the pastThe past when love was mine. The past is best forgotten.
My nightly stroll’s no pleasure now It’s just a path of tears. My spirit is restless and longs to end This eternal shadow of years. Take my tomb and make it your home It will make no hardship for me. Your happiness will bring me joy My only wish is peace. If the Sexton’s water touches me I’ll gladly dissolve, You’re a man who brings good will To all that know you here. Accept my offer, take my grave It welcomes me no more. Bishop: Alma, dear, it’s a lovely thing You wish to do for me. But I shall find some other way To keep my spirit free. Alma: Bishop, I am now resolved To leave this place quite soon. Save yourself for the good of all, You haven’t much time left. Someone is coming now.
(Alma mentions the coming of someone, the ghosts assume that it is the Sexton.) Ghosts: The Sexton is coming! The Sexton is coming! The Sexton! The Sexton!
That’s not the Sexton! No, it’s the printer Joseph Evans.
(The ghosts rush about frantically seeking out their respective tombs. Ready to hide themselves, they keep their eyes on the entrance to the churchyard, an expression of anticipation on their faces. Alma, who is resolved not to be afraid, stands quietly waiting for whatever may be in store for her. The Bishop hurries to his own tomb, checks himself when he remembers that he cannot enter, seeks out Alma’s tomb and prepares to hide himself. Just as everyone has assumed a position for immediate action, Joseph Evans enters, walks slowly and deliberately to the altar. His bearing is of sadness, a quality which instantly catches the attention of the curious ghosts. As he proceeds to the altar, the ghosts slowly approach him. By the time he has assumed a kneeling position before the altar, the ghosts have formed a semicircle around him.) Joseph: My God, I come to praise Thee, My God, I come to pray. To say my thanks for blessings Given me each day by day. Now I have a heavy heart I need Thee more than ever. My daughter’s at the point of death She may be lost forever. Her illness came as swift as the wind Her body burns with fever.
I ask this crucial favor now To take this sickness from her. Faithfully, I’ve served Thee well Happily, I’ve worshipped. Grant my prayer and give me peace Alisa must not perish. Alma: Alisa must not perish! Alisa must not perish!
(Joseph rises and slowly walks out of the churchyard. Alma, who has been drawn closer and closer to him as he prays, follows him out of the churchyard as if in a trance. The other ghosts gesticulate and move about to show amazement and curiosity about Alma’s actions.) Ghosts: What will she do? Where will she go? What can be in her head? Will she view the anguish Of someone who’s almost dead? Has she a strange course in mind? She’s moody and sad by nature. An unwise thing to leave her tomb; What an unnatural creature! Bishop: Do not reproach poor Alma, friends, We must not dare to scold her. Because her heart was broken once, Her deeds are somewhat bolder.
Ghosts: Bishop, please accept her gift, Take her grave as your own. The Sexton’s water will soon be strewn, For now is the hour of dawn. Bishop: Her tomb’s my refuge, I agree, For me a pleasant solution. Now let us get our daily rest And ward off dissolution.
(The ghosts hurry to their tombs. Again the Bishop, by force of habit, approaches his own tomb before realizing that he must sleep in Alma’s tomb. The other ghosts watch him with amusement. When they reach their tombs, the ghosts whirl about and dance gaily. At that moment the Sexton enters the churchyard and looks about with a curious, unpleasant expression on his face. The ghosts pause by their tombs while the Sexton cautiously approaches the church door.) Sexton: Each morning when I come to work, I have the strangest notion, That I have by the merest chance Avoided a commotion. They say the spirits roam about In churchyards near each tomb. Because I fear this may be true, To brush aside this gloom,
I sprinkle holy water To protect me from all harm. For spirits flee when water falls, They shiver with alarm. Then I’m safe to do my chores To keep the church in order. Working daily til the set of sun, Secure from spirits.
(After making his observations, the Sexton looks about the churchyard with caution. The ghosts are greatly amused by the Sexton’s obvious fear of them and plague him mercilessly with their tricks. When the Sexton abruptly enters the church, the ghosts hurriedly hide themselves. It is as though they are playing a game of hide and seek with the Sexton. He returns quickly, sprinkling the holy water, making sure that it reaches every part of the churchyard.) Sexton: Let every drop of water Dispel an evil face
And keep me safe from spirits Which lurk about this place.
(When he has finished, the Sexton goes back into the church, returns with a metal rake, and begins raking the yard. While he is raking, Joseph Evans enters with his daughter who is the physical likeness of the ghost Alma, but she seems a bit weak and different from the ghost in that Alisa has a happy look on her face.)
Joseph: Morning, Sexton, a miracle Stands before you here! Alisa lay at death’s door, A deathly pall closed near. Suddenly a life force Inhabited her form. Her breathing became easy, Her body, warm. Rising slowly from her bed She walked with careful step Until she seemed to come to life Restored from the throes of death. I’ve come to say my ‘thank you’ To God who knew my need. We’ll kneel here at the altar
To reaffirm our creed That God dispenses favors To those who love him well And shows his mercy ever, The more his love to tell. Sexton: I rejoice at your good fortune Alisa’s smile is sweet. Her health renewed, her life made whole Your joy is now complete. While kneeling at the altar Say thanks to God above. No force can ever equal The power of divine love.
(Joseph and Alisa go to the altar and kneel. Joseph prays, but Alisa does not speak. Although the Sexton affirms the power of divine love, he does so automatically, as if it were expected of him. While Joseph and Alisa kneel at the altar, the Sexton continues to rake, shaking his head from time to time as he picks up a bit of debris or thinks of the hardships of his life. At one point his rake catches the corner of a tomb causing him to lose his balance and almost fall. He then scratches his head as if he is trying to remember something.) Joseph: I say a simple thank you For hearing my request.
I humbly come to tell you My spirit’s now at rest.
(Joseph and Alisa rise and slowly walk away. Alisa suddenly stops, touches her father’s arm, and Joseph turns to her.) Alisa: Father, I’ll remain here You go on your way. I like the peace of this old place, For just a while I’ll stay.
Joseph: I must be off to work now I’ll see you later, dear, My day is bright and happy Seeing you standing there.
(Joseph leaves. As the Sexton continues to rake, Alisa sees some candles he has laid out for his work. She takes them and hides them while he is preoccupied with his raking.) Sexton: This is very strange I thought I had some candles here. Now I must go to the village store To get some more. Alisa, be careful, There are ghosts who live here I’m sure of it.
When you feel a ghost coming near, To tweak your nose or tug on your ear Just sprinkle holy water. For spirits flee when water falls. Alisa: Thank you, Sexton. I’ll remember, I’ll be all right.
(The Sexton puts down the rake and leaves. Alisa looks around, then goes to the Bishop’s tomb and knocks.) Alisa:
Bishop Benson! Bishop Benson!
(Alisa then remembers the new arrangement and goes to Alma’s tomb. Again she knocks.)
Alisa:
Bishop Benson! Bishop Bensonl
Bishop: (From within the tomb.) Who calls the Bishop’s name? Alisa:
It is Alma.
Bishop: (In a very loud voice.) Who calls the Bishop’s name? Alisa:
(Shouting.) It is Alma!
Bishop: (Loudly.) Where’s the Sexton? Alisa:
(Loudly.) In the village buying candles.
(The Bishop climbs out of the tomb and stretches sleepily. He then looks at Alisa carefully. While Alisa and the Bishop have been shouting at each other, the ghosts have been awakened. They climb from the tombs cautiously one at a time and hesitantly gather about Alisa staring at her as though they are not sure whether or not they know her. They turn to the Bishop, as if for enlightenment.) Bishop: Your look is not quite Alma’s. Your voice is not quite Alma’s. Therefore I must ask you Are you sure you’re Alma? Alisa: Bishop, I am Alma But in Alisa’s form. Her father needed my help His daughter’s life was gone. I breathed life in her body My life became Alisa, God must have planned it so. Bishop: I felt that you were destined To make somebody glad. Your life now has its meaning You are no longer sad.
Alisa: One more thing is needed To make me really pleased Is there not some favor That you would like from me? Bishop: Though it seems ungrateful Of me to tell the truth, Your tomb is much too lumpy I cannot sleep well there. One thing in this universe Would make me happy now, To return at once to my own soft grave Where I have lived so long. Alisa: I’ll try my best to help you; I’ll see what I can do.
(Alisa goes to the Bishop’s tomb and examines it on all sides. She feels it carefully. The ghosts follow her about as if they are hypnotized by her movements. They exhibit great curiosity about what she is doing. When she mentions the Sexton’s rake, Sam and Tom pick it up and rush to hand it to her.) Alisa: Though Willy’s work was careful He left a crack or two On the backside of your tomb, Which I could fix for you.
Hand me the Sexton’s rake, I’ll make the opening larger. Then you can squeeze right in, I think, To claim your rightful home.
(Alisa takes the rake and goes to the back of the Bishop’s tomb. She scratches about until she seems satisfied. Again the ghosts follow her and display varying attitudes toward the work she is doing, though all exhibit interest.) Alisa: Now see if you can get inside Your happy home again.
You’ll be at ease, at rest in peace If you can just squeeze in.
(The Bishop goes to the back of the tomb and just manages to squeeze inside. His delight is obvious. The ghosts smile, jump, and applaud.) Bishop: Oh joyous day! Oh joyous dayl Restored at last to slumber. No more condemned to toss and turn In Alma’s tomb.
Alma, you have brought me peace, I’ll praise your name forever. Thanks to you my tomb is still my home, My brain is all a-dither!
(The Bishop dances about at first alone; then he takes Alisa to dance with him. All the ghosts join in.) Bishop: Dance, my friends! Join me in merry-making
Alma opened up my tomb — No more shall I be aching.
(The dancers quicken their pace until they must stop to catch their breath. They sit or lean on the tombs while resting.) Bishop & Ghosts: Alma’s taken a different shape, She’s aided Joseph Evans; Bishop: Now she’s helped me fit inside my tomb. Ghosts: Now the Bishop fits inside his tomb. Bishop: My home is mine! Bishop & Ghosts: Thank heavens! Alisa: Happiness is mine at last Peace has come upon me Through others’ joy, I’ve found my own I’m blissful as one can be. (The ghosts waltz to their respective tombs.) Ghosts: The night is short, the day is long Now we must sing… (Alisa starts toward the gate of the churchyard. She blows a kiss to the Bishop, who responds with embarrassment. Just as she does this, the Sexton rushes in with his candles. The Sexton looks at Alisa with suspicion; the ghosts, who have hidden behind their tombs, pop out on the final chord with a frightening gesture; the Sexton runs off-stage as the curtain swiftly falls.)