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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

After their failure with Thespis the successful beginning of the G&S story began with a legal scene - their operetta, Trial by Jury (following in Gilbert's footsteps as a non too successful barrister). MusicSmiles is responding to a suggestion to include The Judge's Song, but the management wasn't really satisfied with our original arrangement. So the Judge has had a 'makeover' but let's start by  witnessing 'His Entrance'.

This superb 'Handelian' chorus from Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury set the operatic world ablaze when it first hit the boards. Today it is still popular with G&S fans - and others - the world over.

Our arrangement starts where the Court Usher is calling for "Silence in Court". jurors, bridesmaids, et al all join in with an SATB chorus The Learned Judge thanks them for their welcome and offers to reveal to them how he became a judge (when he can get a word in between the musical high jinks). They are eventually persuaded to quieten down to "Let Him Speak" then get excited again at the end - the Usher calling for 'Silence in Court'; can you hear him?

All Hail Great Judge
(Intro and Usher)

Usher: Silence in Court,
Silence in Court,
And all attention lend.
Behold your judge!
In due submission bend!

Chorus: All Hail Great Ju . .dge!
To your bright rays,
We never gru . .dge
Ecstatic praise.
All hail! all hail!
All hail! all hail! all hail!
May each decree . . 
As statute rank,
And never be . . .
Reversed in Banc.
All hail! all hail!
All hail! all hail! all hail!
(brief Interlude)

Judge: For these kind words
Accept my thanks, I pray,
A Breach of Promise we've to try today.
But firstly, if the time you'll not begrudge,
I'll tell you how I c-a-me to be . . . a Judge.

Firmly disciplined musical high jinks:-
Chorus: He'll tell us how,
He'll tell us how,
He ca---me to be a Judge.

Judge: I'll tell you how,
Chorus: He'll tell us how,
Judge: I'll tell you how,
Chorus: He'll tell us how
He ca---me to be a Judge!
Judge: Let me speak,
Chorus: Let him speak,
Judge: Let me speak,
Chorus: Let him speak,
Judge: Let me speak,
Chorus: Yes let him speak!
Judge (voice rising): Let me speak,
Chorus (simultaneously): (Hush! Hush! he speaks)
Judge (voice rising to a squeak): Let me speak,
Chorus (simultaneously): (Hush! Hush! he speaks)
Ladies (very quietly!): Hush! Hush!
Men (letting rip!) He'll tell us how
Chorus: (ff tutti!) He'll tell us how,
He ca----me to be a Judge.
Usher (trying to be heard!): Silence in Court,
Silence in Court.

Don't worry if you didn't get the timing right first time, it does take a bit of working out (and it helps to have the score to hand!) It really is a lot of fun though, isn't it? One more time . . .? 

To hear the newly arranged Judge's Song click the link . . . 

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