ANDROMACHE'S FAREWELL - For Soprano and Orchestra - Op.39

Oct 13, 2026

A concert vocal work by Samuel Barber titled “Andromache’s Farewell,” written for soprano and orchestra, Op.39, with an approximate duration of 12 minutes. The score specifies orchestration details, confirms all instruments are written in C, and notes a commission by the New York Philharmonic for its Lincoln Center opening season, first performed on April 4, 1963. The dramatic text is drawn from Euripides’ “The Trojan Women,” translated by John Patrick Creagh, depicting Andromache bidding farewell to her son as Troy burns before dawn.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages64

Reading Time1 h 39 min

AccessFree to download

ANDROMACHE'S FAREWELL

For Soprano and Orchestra - Op.39

Instrumentation

Scene and Text (Euripides)

3 No.101 # SAMUEL BARBER ANDROMACHE'S FAREWELL # For Soprano and Orchestra Op.39 SC-196 G.SCHIRMER,Inc. NEW YORK DEO ADJUVANTENONTIMENDUMXAVIER UNIVERSITYLIBRARYNEW ORLEANS,LA.CLASS…………………………………AUTH…………………………………ACCES...…………………DONATED BY C-1946 # SAMUEL BARBER I!1 # ANDROMACHE'S FAREWELL For Soprano and OrchestraOp.39 $3.00 G.SCHIRMER,Inc. NEW YORK INSTRUMENTATION PiccoloSnare DrumFlute I,IITenor DrumOboe I,IIXylophoneEnglish HornCelesteClarinet in Bb I,IIAntique Cymbal(Eb)Bass ClarinetTambourineBassoon I,IIAnvilHorn in FI,II,III,IVWhipTrumpet in BbI,II,IIIWood-blockTrombone I,II,IIIHarpTubaSolo VoiceTimpaniViolin I,IIPercussionViolaCymbalVioloncelloTam-tamBassBass Drum All instruments in the score are written in C. Duration:approximately 12 minutes This work was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic in celebration of its open-ing season in Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts,and first performed on April 4,1963with Martina Arroyo,soloist;Thomas Schippers,conductor. All rights of performance and broadcast are strictly reserved. A reduction for voice and piano by the composer is also published. Orchestra parts may be obtained on rental from the publisher.For terms apply to G.Schirmer,Inc.,Orchestra Rental Department,609 Fifth Avenue,New York 17,New York. -1944 # ANDROMACHE’S FAREWELL Scene:an open space before Troy,which has just been captured by the Greeks.AllTrojan men have been killed or have fled and the women and children are held captives.EachTrojan woman has been allotted to a Greek warrior and the ships are now ready to take theminto exile.Andromache,widow of Hector,Prince of Troy,has been given as a slave-wife tothe son of Achilles.She has just been told that she cannot take her little son with her in theship.For it has been decreed by the Greeks that a hero's son must not be allowed to live andthat he is to be hurled over the battlements of Troy.She bids him farewell.In the backgroundthe city is slowly burning.It is just before dawn. The text is from“The Trojan Women”by Euripides,especially translated by JohnPatrick Creagh. Now,and never again,kiss your Mother. So you must die,my son,my best-beloved,my own,by savage hands and leaveyour Mother comfortless. Come close,embrace me,who gave you life. Put your arms around me,your mouth to mine... And then no more. Hector's valiant spirit,shield of thousands,Is death to his own son. You Greeks,contrivers of such savagery. My wedding day!it was my sorrowthat day I came to Hector's houseto bear my son.He was to beLord of all Asia and not for Greeks to slaughter. My boy,you are weeping. Do you know then what awaits you?Why do you hold me so?clutch at my dress?(a small birdseeking shelter under my wing.)Hector cannot come backwith his brave spear to save you.He cannot come from the gravenor any of his princes. Instead,from the height,flung down!oh pitiless!head foremost!falling!falling!……Thus will your life end. Oh dearest embrace,sweet breathing of your body,Was it for nothing that I nursed you,that I suffered?consumed my heart with cares,all for nothing? Why must you kill this guiltless child? Helen!you they call daughter of God,I say you are the spawn of many fathers:Malevolence,murder,hate,destruction—all the evils that afflict the earth. God curse you,Helen,for those eyes that broughthideous carnage to the fair fields of Troy. Take him then,take him away,break his body on the rocks; Cast him down,eat his flesh if that is your desire...Now the Gods have destroyed us utterly,And I can no longerconceal my child from death.(She relinquishes Astyanax.) Hide my head in shame;Cast me in the ship,as to that marriage bedacross the grave of my own son I come! 1 “” # Andromache's Farewell for Soprano and Orchestra Samuel Barber,Op.39Piccolo2 Flutes2 OboesEnglish Horn2 ClarinetsBass Clarinet2 Bassoons1-2Horns3-43 Trumpets1-2TrombonesTimpaniPercussionHarpIViolinsIIViolasVioloncellosC

FAQs

What is the instrumentation for “Andromache’s Farewell”?

The piece is scored for soprano and orchestra, including woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, and string sections.

How long does “Andromache’s Farewell” take to perform?

The duration is approximately 12 minutes.

What is the source of the vocal text?

The text is from Euripides’ “The Trojan Women,” especially translated by John Patrick Creagh.

Oct 13, 2026

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