Love in a Village
Love in a Village | |
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Johann Zoffany showing Edward Shuter as Justice Woodcock, John Beard as Hawthorn, and John Dunstall as Hodge in Act 1, Scene 2 | |
Librettist | Isaac Bickerstaffe |
Based on | Johnson's The Village Opera |
Premiere | 8 December 1762 , London |
Love in a Village is a
History
Love in a Village was received enthusiastically at its premiere and became one of Arne's more popular operas, enjoying 40 performances in its first season alone. The work's success began a vogue for pastiche opera in England that lasted well into the 19th century. The opera has subsequently been revived numerous times, both during Arne's lifetime and after. A notable revival occurred at the
Roles
Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast,[2] 8 December 1762 (Conductor: - Thomas Arne) |
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Rosetta | soprano | Charlotte Brent |
Thomas Meadows | tenor | George Mattocks |
Lucinde | soprano | Isabella Mattocks |
Farmer Hawthorne | tenor | John Beard |
Eustace | tenor | Michael Dyer |
Margery | soprano | Cecilia Davies |
Hodge | tenor | John Dunstall |
Justice Woodcock | spoken role | Edward Shuter |
Sir William Meadows | spoken role |
Synopsis
The heroine of the story, Rosetta, is fearful of her impending marriage to a man she has never met. Worried that she will be miserable, she runs away from home and acquires a position as a chambermaid in the home of Justice Woodcock. Meanwhile, the son of Sir William Meadows, Thomas, is in an equivalent situation. He also avoids his impending marriage by posing as a gardener in the Justice's household. Rosetta and Thomas meet and soon fall in love. However, both of their families are determined to make them marry their intended future spouses. Just as all seems hopeless, Sir William arrives and reveals that the young lovers have in fact been betrothed to each other the whole time.[1]
Arias
Act 1[3]
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Act 2
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Act 3
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Sources
- ^ a b c John A. Parkinson: "Love in a Village", Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed February 16, 2009), (subscription access)
- ^ Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Love in a Village". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
- ^ Based on: Love in a Village (London: John Walsh, 1763).