Like P.D.Q. Bach, this represents a specialized kind of humor. If you like Handel's "Messiah," you might get this. If you don't understand classical music, you might not. (I think it's funny.) - Jonah

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The Civil War Oratorio

by Carl and Celia Mater

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Prologue, basso furioso--Edmund Ruffin "Dixie-ology."

Recitative andaria lyric tenor--Jefferson Davis "(Southern) Comfort ye my people."

Recitative and aria, mezzo soprano--Varina Davis "Behold, a nation shall conceive."

Aria, tenor--Alexander Stephens "O thou that tellest good tidings to Dixie"

Aria, Heldentenor--U.S. Congressman "Every Rebel shall skedaddle."

Aria, basso-baritone--Col. Robert E Lee, 1861. "Why do the nations so furiously rage together?"

Aria--Recruiter, either side "Come unto me, all ye that labor."

Chorus, TTBB--Recruits, both sides. "For unto us a gun is given"

Aria, baritone--Awkward squad member "I know that my drill sergeant liveth (and in my flesh I shall see pain)"

Recitative, tenor--Prof. Thaddeus Lowe "And there were in the heavens"

Chorus, all by himself, basso bragadocio--Gen. McClellan "Glory to Me in the Highest"

Duet, baritone and basso--President Lincoln to General Grant "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron"

Chorus, ex-slaves, 1863--"'Mancipation! 'Mancipation!"

Aria, on ordering an attack--General, either side "And the bugle shall sound"

Chorus, April 9, 1865--Federal, military & civilian ""Glory and praise be unto him that sitteth at Appomattox"

Chorus, April 12, 1865--UNITED States "Surely he hath borne our griefs"

Final chorus--Tutti (all) but a few "Amen" (Comm-UNION)

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