The Story-
Sound only version
The music tracks
Here are the audio tracks to all of the Narrative and the 26 songs plus the Overtures to both parts.
Zen and Now Playlist
Zen and Now The Overture
Like most Overtures this one combines some musical themes from the show.
1.1 In the beginning...
Setting the scene. The Shakya live between the Himalayas and the Ganges.
1.2 Welcome to world of the Shakya
The Shakya song.
1.3 Prophecies leading up to Maya's dream
Suddhodanna and Maya hear the prophecies about their child.
1.4 Maya's dream - the Prophecy song
2.1 I show you sorrow
2.2 SONG FARTHER SHORE
A few days after Maya gave birth she is dying.
Sudhodanna and Maya sing of their loves as she dies.
2.3 The naming of Siddhartha
3.1 Garden of Earthly Delights
3.2 SONG Set the Night on Fire
Siddhartha enjoys a luxury life with plenty of entertainment.
3.3 Luxury Life
Suddhodanna tries to shelter Siddhartha from all troubles and surrounds him with luxury.
3.4 The swan and the arrow
Devadatta and Siddhartha are rivals. Devadatta shoots down a flying swan.
3.5 Wake up dead
Devadatta expresses his anger.
4.1 Love of my life
Siddhartha and Yasodhara.
4.2 SONG I'll compare thee
Siddhartha and Yasodhara sing of their love.
5.1 Bright Lights Big City
Siddhartha wants to explore.
5.2 SONG I've stripped off illusions
The courtesan Amrapali sings.
5.3 The sights
Siddhartha sees the four sights.
6.1 The decision and the quest
Siddhartha thinks that he must find the truth of how to reduce suffering.
6.2 SONG Never Apart
Siddhartha and Yasodhara sing of their love and commitment.
6.3 Yasodhara
Yasodhara is more than a beauty.
6.4 After tomorrow
Siddhartha and Yasodhara sing of their unknown future.
7.1 The search for the good life
Siddhartha begins to question more deeply.
7.2 Where is the good life? Chorus
7.3 The Brahmin
Siddhartha and the Brahmin,
7.4 The ascetics
Siddhartha meets the ascetics
8.1 Sujata's story
Sujata the milkmaid argues with her family
8.2 Song: Misunderstood
Sujata sings of how her family misunderstand her.
8.3 Sujata feeds Siddhartha
8.4 Magnificat
Sujata sings.
8.5 The harmonious way
Striking the right note. The search for harmony.
8.6 After the bodhi tree
Siddhartha begins to meditate.
9.1 The Night of Light
Siddhartha brings everything to mind.
9.3 Mara - Flowers in the sky
The encounter with Evil.
9.5 Simple Song
Siddhartha sees clearly.
Overture to Part Two
The Universe develops.
10.1 The next morning
Siddhartha is a changed man.
10.1.2 Setting the wheel in motion
Siddhartha thinks of how to spread enlightenment.
10.2 SONG Now and Forever
Siddhartha sings of his new insight.
10.4 The illusion of separateness
The primary illusion which creates unnecessary suffering.
10.5 SONG: Listen
Siddhartha sings of his new insights.
10.6 The Four Noble Truths
The medical metaphor.
11.1 Angulimala inspires fear
The story of the serial killer.
11.2 Angulimala and Siddhartha meet
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11.2 SONG Hate is the gate
Angulimala the serial killer confronts Siddhartha
Angulimala redeemed
CHAPTER TWELVE
The story of Kisa Gotami.
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12.2 SONG: So many ways to die
Siddhartha and Kisa sing and reflect,
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Kisa Gotami is reconciled.
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13.1 Devadatta
Devadatta continues his rivalry with Siddhartha.
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13.2 SONG: Your Mother.....
Devadatta sings of his hatred for Siddhartha
Devadatta attacks Siddhartha's reputation as he tries to take power.
SONG: His mother ...
Devadatta plots
14.1 The Sangha
14.1.2 Visions
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14.3 SONG Stone Walls
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14.4 Maga
Where is the good life to be found?
Clearly not in aggressive imperialist regimes of any sort.
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14.5 Siddhartha’s vision
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15.1 Fire
Fire Power. The fire of passion can burn.
Feeding the hungry ghosts.
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The Fire Sermon
Siddhartha speaks of responding to the fire.
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The Flower Sermon
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15.3 Song: Promised Land
Siddhartha plans to return to his family. He and Yasodhara sing of their childhood dreams.
Devadatta threatens them with a disaster to come.
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16.1 KEEPING THE PROMISE
Siddhartha returns to see his family.
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SONG: Seemed like a dream
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17.1 Power politics
King Pasenadi's story.
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The Kings
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17.3 SONG: TIME WAS
Siddhartha's followers sing of their fears.
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The Massacre of the Shakya
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17.5 SONG: IF THEY KILL ..
Siddhartha sings of the way of non-violence.
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18.1 Siddhartha’s last meal
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18.2 Siddhartha’s last meal
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Now and Forever - Finale
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Afterword
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Postscript
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Script and Libretto
You will find the script and the libretto in the Participate section.
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