The Velveteen Rabbit
$80.00
$80.00
per item
Available January 1, 2027
PDF Piano Vocal Score for The Velveteen Rabbit, an opera by Lisa Neher and Mandi Barrus, adapted from the beloved book by Margery Williams.
Length: 90 minutes
Performing Forces:
6 Solo Singers, Optional SATB Chorus, Piano
Role Breakdown:
1 Soprano, mezzo-soprano, or child treble
1 Coloratura soprano
2 Mezzo Sopranos
1 Tenor (or soprano)
1 Baritone (or mezzo)
Optional: SATB Chorus
Piano
This purchase permits the purchaser to distribute copies for all members of their production. If charging admission, royalties are 5% of ticket sales. If this presents a hardship, please contact us to discuss your situation.
PDF Piano Vocal Score for The Velveteen Rabbit, an opera by Lisa Neher and Mandi Barrus, adapted from the beloved book by Margery Williams.
Length: 90 minutes
Performing Forces:
6 Solo Singers, Optional SATB Chorus, Piano
Role Breakdown:
1 Soprano, mezzo-soprano, or child treble
1 Coloratura soprano
2 Mezzo Sopranos
1 Tenor (or soprano)
1 Baritone (or mezzo)
Optional: SATB Chorus
Piano
This purchase permits the purchaser to distribute copies for all members of their production. If charging admission, royalties are 5% of ticket sales. If this presents a hardship, please contact us to discuss your situation.
SKU:
Performing Forces
6 Solo Singers (2 sopranos, 2 mezzos, 1 tenor or soprano, 1 baritone or mezzo), Optional SATB Chorus 1 Piano
THE BOY (soprano or mezzo en travesti or treble): a young child who receives The Velveteen Rabbit as a Christmas gift
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT (mezzo-soprano): a plush rabbit who longs to be real. Given as a Christmas present to The Boy
THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC FAIRY (coloratura soprano): a magical being who grants The Velveteen Rabbit’s wish to become real. May double as a MECHANICAL TOY and WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
NANA (mezzo-soprano/contralto): The Boy’s caretaker and ruler of the nursery. Practical but kind. May double as a MECHANICAL TOY and WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
THE DOCTOR (tenor or soprano): a caring but distracted doctor who treats The Boy during his illness. May double as a MECHANICAL TOY and WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
THE SKIN HORSE (baritone or mezzo-soprano): a wise old toy who knows the secret of becoming real. May double as a WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
CHORUS (SATB): (optional) additional singers may double The Christmas Fairy, Nana, The Doctor, and The Skin Horse as MECHANICAL TOYS and WILD RABBITS and OFFSTAGE CAROLERS. When a chorus is used, choristers may sing the solos for Mechanical Toys and Wild Rabbits.
THE BOY (soprano or mezzo en travesti or treble): a young child who receives The Velveteen Rabbit as a Christmas gift
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT (mezzo-soprano): a plush rabbit who longs to be real. Given as a Christmas present to The Boy
THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC FAIRY (coloratura soprano): a magical being who grants The Velveteen Rabbit’s wish to become real. May double as a MECHANICAL TOY and WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
NANA (mezzo-soprano/contralto): The Boy’s caretaker and ruler of the nursery. Practical but kind. May double as a MECHANICAL TOY and WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
THE DOCTOR (tenor or soprano): a caring but distracted doctor who treats The Boy during his illness. May double as a MECHANICAL TOY and WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
THE SKIN HORSE (baritone or mezzo-soprano): a wise old toy who knows the secret of becoming real. May double as a WILD RABBIT and OFFSTAGE CAROLER
CHORUS (SATB): (optional) additional singers may double The Christmas Fairy, Nana, The Doctor, and The Skin Horse as MECHANICAL TOYS and WILD RABBITS and OFFSTAGE CAROLERS. When a chorus is used, choristers may sing the solos for Mechanical Toys and Wild Rabbits.
Program Note
The Velveteen Rabbit celebrates the wisdom of children and their power of meeting the world unguarded, with acceptance, vulnerability, and love. The Mechanical Toys and Wild Rabbits judge the Velveteen Rabbit for being shabbily made, with no distinct hind legs, imitation velvet fur, and cheap sawdust stuffing. For these reasons, they declare he isn’t Real. Yet, from the moment the Boy receives his Bunny toy, he loves him exactly as he is. The Rabbit’s journey is a series of encounters with memorable characters: the Skin Horse, the Mechanical Toys, the Wild Rabbits, the Doctor, Nana, and the Christmas Magic Fairy. Inspired by this form, and influenced by the operas of Mozart, the scenes in the opera are subdivided into recitatives, arias, and ensembles, so that each encounter becomes a distinct musical number. The music features leitmotifs, including: the Real theme, an ascending whole-tone melody that opens up new horizons; the Christmas Magic Fairy’s theme, which blends a minor triad with a bright major seventh to suggest the magical way she bridges the toy and human world; the Scarlet Fever theme, a dark ascending minor third and crawling half steps that conveys danger; and the Boy and Bunny theme (my personal favorite), a lyrical, loving theme, tinged with nostalgia.
Finally, anyone who knows me well has met at least one out of my large collection of Real stuffed animals, whom I affectionally call Friends. Like Nana, I believe in the power of playthings, at any age. It seems that this story and I were meant for one another. I am grateful to Opera Contempo and librettist Mandi Barrus for commissioning and entrusting me with The Velveteen Rabbit.
Finally, anyone who knows me well has met at least one out of my large collection of Real stuffed animals, whom I affectionally call Friends. Like Nana, I believe in the power of playthings, at any age. It seems that this story and I were meant for one another. I am grateful to Opera Contempo and librettist Mandi Barrus for commissioning and entrusting me with The Velveteen Rabbit.
Synopsis
Scene 1
It is Christmas Day, and carolers can be heard singing offstage. The Boy excitedly unwraps presents, including the Velveteen Rabbit, which is his immediate favorite. He is called off to dinner by Nana. The chorus of Mechanical Toys enter and criticize the Velveteen Rabbit for being made of cheap materials. After they exit, the Skin Horse comforts the Velveteen Rabbit, explaining that toys that look fancy and have mechanical parts break easily and don't last long enough to become Real. He explains that Real is something that happens to you when a child loves you for a long time, but that often by the time you are Real, you are quite shabby and worn. The Velveteen Rabbit longs to become Real but fears the discomfort of being worn and ugly.
Scene 2
It is spring and summer. The Boy looks around the nursery for the Velveteen Rabbit, which he has lost. Nana, exasperated at having to look for the Rabbit once again, finally finds it and scolds the Boy for all this fuss over just a toy. The Boy protests, saying that the Rabbit isn't a toy, but is Real. Outside, while the Boy plays, the Velveteen Rabbit expresses joy and wonder at having become Real, just as the Skin Horse promised. The Chorus of Wild Rabbits enter, playing and dancing. They ask the Velveteen Rabbit to join them, but quickly become suspicious when he can't move like they do and smells strange. Crying out that he isn't a real rabbit at all, they run away, leaving the Velveteen Rabbit confused and distressed.
Scene 3
It is autumn. The Boy is dangerously ill with scarlet fever. As Nana and the Doctor monitor him and fear for the worst, the Velveteen Rabbit hides under the covers and comforts the Boy. As he sings gently in the Boy's ear, the Boy rouses and sings, and his fever turns. The Doctor declares that the Boy will recover, but should go to the seaside for his health. This excites the Boy and the Velveteen Rabbit, who look forward to seeing the waves and the sand. Nana takes the Boy outside to get some fresh air. She asks the Doctor what to do about The Velveteen Rabbit, and the Doctor tells her she must burn it, because it is covered with germs. Alone with the Velveteen Rabbit, Nana reminisces about the Skin Horse and laments that the Boy will lose his favorite toy forever.
Scene 4
It is Christmas Day once more. Carolers can be heard singing off stage. The Velveteen Rabbit lies in a heap of rubbish, waiting to be burnt by the Gardener. He remembers all the good times with the Boy, including the day the Boy told him he was Real. But he doesn't understand what it was all for, if it all ends like this. A single tear from the Rabbit drops on the ground, and from it a flower blooms. Out of the flower steps the Christmas Magic Fairy. She explains that she cares for the playthings that children loved after they don't need them anymore, and that she is here to make the Velveteen Rabbit Real--not just to the Boy, but Real to everyone. She brings the Velveteen Rabbit to the Wild Rabbits and instructs them to teach him how to be a Real rabbit. Amazed, the Velveteen Rabbit discovers he an move and dance just like the Wild Rabbits. The Christmas Magic Fairy departs. The Boy enters, looking for a Christmas Tree. He notices the Velveteen Rabbit and remarks how it reminds him of a toy he lost when he had scarlet fever.
It is Christmas Day, and carolers can be heard singing offstage. The Boy excitedly unwraps presents, including the Velveteen Rabbit, which is his immediate favorite. He is called off to dinner by Nana. The chorus of Mechanical Toys enter and criticize the Velveteen Rabbit for being made of cheap materials. After they exit, the Skin Horse comforts the Velveteen Rabbit, explaining that toys that look fancy and have mechanical parts break easily and don't last long enough to become Real. He explains that Real is something that happens to you when a child loves you for a long time, but that often by the time you are Real, you are quite shabby and worn. The Velveteen Rabbit longs to become Real but fears the discomfort of being worn and ugly.
Scene 2
It is spring and summer. The Boy looks around the nursery for the Velveteen Rabbit, which he has lost. Nana, exasperated at having to look for the Rabbit once again, finally finds it and scolds the Boy for all this fuss over just a toy. The Boy protests, saying that the Rabbit isn't a toy, but is Real. Outside, while the Boy plays, the Velveteen Rabbit expresses joy and wonder at having become Real, just as the Skin Horse promised. The Chorus of Wild Rabbits enter, playing and dancing. They ask the Velveteen Rabbit to join them, but quickly become suspicious when he can't move like they do and smells strange. Crying out that he isn't a real rabbit at all, they run away, leaving the Velveteen Rabbit confused and distressed.
Scene 3
It is autumn. The Boy is dangerously ill with scarlet fever. As Nana and the Doctor monitor him and fear for the worst, the Velveteen Rabbit hides under the covers and comforts the Boy. As he sings gently in the Boy's ear, the Boy rouses and sings, and his fever turns. The Doctor declares that the Boy will recover, but should go to the seaside for his health. This excites the Boy and the Velveteen Rabbit, who look forward to seeing the waves and the sand. Nana takes the Boy outside to get some fresh air. She asks the Doctor what to do about The Velveteen Rabbit, and the Doctor tells her she must burn it, because it is covered with germs. Alone with the Velveteen Rabbit, Nana reminisces about the Skin Horse and laments that the Boy will lose his favorite toy forever.
Scene 4
It is Christmas Day once more. Carolers can be heard singing off stage. The Velveteen Rabbit lies in a heap of rubbish, waiting to be burnt by the Gardener. He remembers all the good times with the Boy, including the day the Boy told him he was Real. But he doesn't understand what it was all for, if it all ends like this. A single tear from the Rabbit drops on the ground, and from it a flower blooms. Out of the flower steps the Christmas Magic Fairy. She explains that she cares for the playthings that children loved after they don't need them anymore, and that she is here to make the Velveteen Rabbit Real--not just to the Boy, but Real to everyone. She brings the Velveteen Rabbit to the Wild Rabbits and instructs them to teach him how to be a Real rabbit. Amazed, the Velveteen Rabbit discovers he an move and dance just like the Wild Rabbits. The Christmas Magic Fairy departs. The Boy enters, looking for a Christmas Tree. He notices the Velveteen Rabbit and remarks how it reminds him of a toy he lost when he had scarlet fever.
Musical Numbers
SCENE 1
1. Overture (piano only)
2. Scene: Ding dong! merrily on high / Oh what a splendid Christmas morning! (Chorus, Boy, Nana)
3. Chorus: Who is this? (Chorus)
4. Recit: They are only toys (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
5. Duet: What is Real? (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
6. Recit: Does it hurt? (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
7. Aria: It doesn't happen all at once (Skin Horse)
8. Recit: I suppose you are Real? (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
9. Aria: Ah! I long to become Real! (Velveteen Rabbit)
SCENE 2
10. Duet: Nana! Oh Nana! (Boy, Nana)
11. Aria: Real? Am I Real? (Velveteen Rabbit)
12. Recit: There you are, Bunny! (Boy)
13. Recit: Who are those strange beings? (Velveteen Rabbit)
14. Chorus: We are rabbits (Chorus)
15. Scene: Why don't you get up (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
SCENE 3
16. Entr'acte (piano only)
17. Quartet: His face has grown flushed (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Nana, Doctor)
18. Scene & Duet: He is not improving / When you are well (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Nana, Doctor)
19. Quartet: We'll open the windows (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Nana, Doctor)
20. Recit: What about his old Bunny? (Nana, Doctor)
21. Aria: And yet, such a splendid, bunchy Bunny (Nana)
Scene 4
22. Scene: I have waited many weeks / Silent Night (Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
23. Recit and Aria: Who are you / Ah, Little Rabbit 1 (Christmas Magic Fairy, Velveteen Rabbit)
24. Interlude 1 (piano only)
25. Recit & Aria: I have brought you a new playfellow / Ah, Little Rabbit 2 (Christmas Magic Fairy)
26. Scene: I have legs! (Christmas Magic Fairy, Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
27. Interlude 2 (Christmas Magic Fairy, Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
28. Finale: Nana! I see the perfect Christmas Tree! / Gloria! (Boy, Chorus)
1. Overture (piano only)
2. Scene: Ding dong! merrily on high / Oh what a splendid Christmas morning! (Chorus, Boy, Nana)
3. Chorus: Who is this? (Chorus)
4. Recit: They are only toys (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
5. Duet: What is Real? (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
6. Recit: Does it hurt? (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
7. Aria: It doesn't happen all at once (Skin Horse)
8. Recit: I suppose you are Real? (Velveteen Rabbit, Skin Horse)
9. Aria: Ah! I long to become Real! (Velveteen Rabbit)
SCENE 2
10. Duet: Nana! Oh Nana! (Boy, Nana)
11. Aria: Real? Am I Real? (Velveteen Rabbit)
12. Recit: There you are, Bunny! (Boy)
13. Recit: Who are those strange beings? (Velveteen Rabbit)
14. Chorus: We are rabbits (Chorus)
15. Scene: Why don't you get up (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
SCENE 3
16. Entr'acte (piano only)
17. Quartet: His face has grown flushed (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Nana, Doctor)
18. Scene & Duet: He is not improving / When you are well (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Nana, Doctor)
19. Quartet: We'll open the windows (Boy, Velveteen Rabbit, Nana, Doctor)
20. Recit: What about his old Bunny? (Nana, Doctor)
21. Aria: And yet, such a splendid, bunchy Bunny (Nana)
Scene 4
22. Scene: I have waited many weeks / Silent Night (Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
23. Recit and Aria: Who are you / Ah, Little Rabbit 1 (Christmas Magic Fairy, Velveteen Rabbit)
24. Interlude 1 (piano only)
25. Recit & Aria: I have brought you a new playfellow / Ah, Little Rabbit 2 (Christmas Magic Fairy)
26. Scene: I have legs! (Christmas Magic Fairy, Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
27. Interlude 2 (Christmas Magic Fairy, Velveteen Rabbit, Chorus)
28. Finale: Nana! I see the perfect Christmas Tree! / Gloria! (Boy, Chorus)