Summary

“The Schuyler Sisters”: Burr narrates the journey taken into New York by the three daughters of the wealthy Philip Schuyler: Angelica, Peggy, and Eliza. As they explore the city, urging each other to “look around” (Act 1, Scene 5), they interact with both Burr and the men they encounter, responding with fierce intelligence and, on Angelica’s part, an equally fierce determination to be as much a part of the revolution as the men. As the number concludes, the sisters and the chorus celebrate work and their good fortune at being “in the greatest city in the world” (Act 1, Scene 5). The music of “The Schuyler Sisters” is primarily rapped, frequently counterpointed with intense, excited melody.

“Farmer Refuted” starts with a traditional, classical feel (i.e. utilization of harpsichord music and poetic story) in the voice of British traditionalist Samuel Seabury, who urges that America remain...