I have added additional winds and one horn to the orchestration for The Scarlet Letter, allowing for a larger and darker range of sound.
The new orchestration is as follows:
2 Flutes/Piccolo
2 Oboes/English Horn
2 Clarinets in B flat/Bass Clarinet
2 Bassoons
2 Horns in F
Trumpet in C
Trombone
Timpani: 5 (20, 23, 26, 29, 32)
Percussion: Bass Drum, Chimes (high and low Eb), Cymbals — medium suspended (brushes, mallets, sticks), Finger Cymbals, Gong, Snare Drum, Tambourine and Triangle
Harp
Piano/Celesta
Voices (solo and chorus)
Violins 1 & 2 (8,8) Viola (6) Violoncello (4) Double Bass (2)
The characters and choruses remain the same, except I am customizing Hester’s lines for coloratura Laura Claycomb.
LEADING ROLES
Hester Prynne, a seamstress: soprano
Arthur Dimmesdale, a young minister: tenor
Roger Chillingworth, a doctor: baritone
MINOR ROLES
Mistress Hibbons, a witch: mezzo-soprano
John Wilson, an elder minister: tenor
Governor Bellingham: baritone
Pearl, Hester’s young daughter: non-speaking actor
CHORUS (SATB) Minimum 8
The Chorus Includes:
A Sailor (Baritone)
A Farmer (Tenor)
A Shipmaster (Baritone)
3 Goodwives (2 Sopranos, 1 Mezzo-soprano)
The Beadle (Baritone)
As needed, assorted Indians and townsfolk
These secondary roles can be cast from the chorus.