Uploaded February 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Les Misérables
By Claude-Michel Schönberg / lyr. Herbert Kretzmer
Arr. Kari Hustad '21 / a cappella arr. Rita Rangchaikul '17
Les Misérables is a story of love, loss, and hope-- set against the backdrop of revolution in France. Based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, the 1985 musical, composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, has become widely beloved. Our arrangement tells the story of the revolution through some of our favorite songs.
The musical begins with Jean Veljean, who after escaping the chain gang and reinventing his life, eventually becomes a successful factory owner and mayor. On the factory floor, Fantine, single mother to the young Cosette, is fired and forced into prostitution (I Dreamed A Dream), losing her means to send money to her child’s caretakers, the greedy Thénardiers (Master of the
House). Realizing his role in the situation, a remorseful Veljean offers to adopt Cosette.
Years pass, and Veljean, now an old man, has a run in with Javert, the militant policeman from his chain gang days (Stars). On the eve of the 1832 Paris Uprising, Cosette falls in love with a young revolutionary named Marius, only to be kept apart by the impending battle. Marius is torn between his love for Cosette and the cause he shares with his hot-blooded compatriots (Red and Black, One Day More). Attempting to get a letter to Cosette, Marius turns to the daughter of the Thénardiers, his friend Eponine,
who is hopelessly in love with him (On My Own). She is shot at the barricade and dies in Marius’s arms. At last appreciating the love Marius has for Cosette, Valjean prays that Marius will make it out alive (Bring Him Home), eventually rescuing him from the brink of death (The Final Battle).
After the revolution, France is somber as it mourns its dead (Turning), and Marius especially laments the loss of his friends (Empty Chairs at Empty Tables). In a spark of hope amidst the tragedy, Marius and Cosette marry. On his deathbed, Veljean confesses the truth about Cosette’s mother. In a final, triumphant proclamation, the spirits of the dead proclaim that all will be free in the next world (Finale/Do You Hear the People Sing).
Program Notes by Kari Hustad
Link to full program: drive.google.com/file/d/1cdT4aV6WD4afzNAwNUjo7vNailWBWwGG/view?usp=sharing
Les Misérables
By Claude-Michel Schönberg / lyr. Herbert Kretzmer
Arr. Kari Hustad '21 / a cappella arr. Rita Rangchaikul '17
Les Misérables is a story of love, loss, and hope-- set against the backdrop of revolution in France. Based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, the 1985 musical, composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, has become widely beloved. Our arrangement tells the story of the revolution through some of our favorite songs.
The musical begins with Jean Veljean, who after escaping the chain gang and reinventing his life, eventually becomes a successful factory owner and mayor. On the factory floor, Fantine, single mother to the young Cosette, is fired and forced into prostitution (I Dreamed A Dream), losing her means to send money to her child’s caretakers, the greedy Thénardiers (Master of the
House). Realizing his role in the situation, a remorseful Veljean offers to adopt Cosette.
Years pass, and Veljean, now an old man, has a run in with Javert, the militant policeman from his chain gang days (Stars). On the eve of the 1832 Paris Uprising, Cosette falls in love with a young revolutionary named Marius, only to be kept apart by the impending battle. Marius is torn between his love for Cosette and the cause he shares with his hot-blooded compatriots (Red and Black, One Day More). Attempting to get a letter to Cosette, Marius turns to the daughter of the Thénardiers, his friend Eponine,
who is hopelessly in love with him (On My Own). She is shot at the barricade and dies in Marius’s arms. At last appreciating the love Marius has for Cosette, Valjean prays that Marius will make it out alive (Bring Him Home), eventually rescuing him from the brink of death (The Final Battle).
After the revolution, France is somber as it mourns its dead (Turning), and Marius especially laments the loss of his friends (Empty Chairs at Empty Tables). In a spark of hope amidst the tragedy, Marius and Cosette marry. On his deathbed, Veljean confesses the truth about Cosette’s mother. In a final, triumphant proclamation, the spirits of the dead proclaim that all will be free in the next world (Finale/Do You Hear the People Sing).
Program Notes by Kari Hustad
Link to full program: drive.google.com/file/d/1cdT4aV6WD4afzNAwNUjo7vNailWBWwGG/view?usp=sharing
