1 Introduction song

1. Overture
(The overture plays as the curtain rises. The stage reveals a deserted, narrow street lined with identical houses, flooded with bright, blinding sunlight. A few old men and women from the ensemble sit under the balconies, cooling themselves with fans. They begin to sing.
The Narrator, who is also the Scholar, steps out onto the balcony.)

1a. Opening Song – The Tale (Part One)

Chorus: The heat!
Scholar / Narrator: Somewhere in the heart of the countries
Where it’s always hot…
Where people tan until their skin’s…
Chorus  : …the dark…
The heat!
The heat!
The heat!
Scholar / Narrator: There lived a strange, odd one,
Who didn’t like the cold.
Oh, how he was so wrong!
And even he was known —
He knows everything!
Described everything!
He’s never changed his mind,
But ended up in a bind!
Chorus: Oh, beauty things,
And even the heat,
Hotter than any big fire!
That scorching day,
Even the shade…
…burned to ash!
Everything is so… hot!

(The stage darkens as night falls. The scene visibly comes alive; characters emerge from their houses, creating an imitation of bustling city life: shoemakers, street vendors, children, the ensemble, etc.)




1b. Opening Song – The Tale (Part Two)

Chorus: The heat… is gone… The town is now awaking,
The heat… is gone… The cool relief is breaking!
The heat… is gone… All shutters open widely,
The heat… is gone… And stars are shining brightly,
And what a joy to watch the bustling crowd,
While candle shadows grow and cast a shroud,
And reach up… to the stars!
The heat… is gone…
(The Scholar appears on the balcony, singing down to the people)
Market Woman: Hello, my dear! Some coolest tea?
We’ll brave the heat, just wait and see!
Scholar: Not now, thanks.
Hello!
Shoemaker: Good day!
High heels are back in vogue today!
A frockey coat… What did I say…
Scholar: Oh, thank you, dude…
Just tell me, friend—
My eyes were drawn to that high—
Shoemaker: Which one?
Scholar: Above your shop! Who lives in there?
Chorus: Who lives in there?
Shoemaker: A lovely lady lives up there,
Of noble, royal blood, so rare,
No one on earth is half as fair.
A secret lies within…
Come on, don't despair!
Chorus: Oh, don't despair!
Oh, don't despair!
Scholar: The flowers are watered with care,
So life must surely be there.
But why, as the street comes with a spark,
Inside her window is so dark?
Chorus: The heat is gone…
(A funeral procession emerges)
Scholar: Bonjour, pardon…
Oh God, what happened here?
He was so young, it feels severe…
Chorus: The heat… The heat…
The heat… The heat…
The heat… is gone…
Scholar: Ah, what a strange, wondrous light,
Even the flowers change color tonight!
Oh, who will answer me, who holds the key?
Where did she go? Tell me, where can she be?
The heat is gone…
And who is this?
It’s my own shadow.
Come on, don't be shy. Come inside!
Chorus: Inside!!!