“The Opera of May 21, 1811”

WIP - to be formatted later

On May 21, 1811, an opera was performed at the King’s Theatre, Haymarket. Reports of the plot, themes, and language of the opera have varied among those in attendance. The performance of the singers was well received, though most of the audience found the plot incomprehensible.

Plot

Kate Steele was under the impression it had been set in the Jacobean era, however she also reported seeing men in togas, who she assumed were Roman legionnaires, as well as a Gothic-looking tower as part of the set design. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3633-red-hair-sir-in-my-opinion-is-dangerous/ Cora Smith believed it may have been in either French or Italian and the title may have been La-- Something or Other. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3647-im-no-pair-of-dancing-shoes/&do=findComment&comment=50160 Ned Granville believed it to have been performed in Italian and he too noted Romans at a medieval castle. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3539-past-the-point-of-no-return/&do=findComment&comment=50150 Alfred Cole and his sister could not follow the plot. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3602-if-you-cant-dance-to-this-you-cant-do-nothing-for-me-baby/&do=findComment&comment=49816 The Kincaides found the narrative ridiculous with more than one scene with a character ostensibly hidden behind some screen or set-piece, conspicuously overhearing whatever was going on at the forefront of the stage.http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3519-dont-you-know-that-we-are-living-in-a-golden-age/&do=findComment&comment=49766 The Duke of Leighton thought it to be in Italian and the plot contained excessive scheming, much of it maritally-motivated. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3580-one-woman-in-her-time-plays-many-parts/&do=findComment&comment=49259 Tempest Wolfe doubted the plausibility of love at first sight, suggesting this was at least one plot point.

Performance

Edwina Abberley noted it was well-sung. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3590-toast-tea-and-talk/&do=findComment&comment=50052 Cathy Seymour thought it very beautiful. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3632-you-must-have-been-born-with-two-right-feet/&do=findComment&comment=49867 Charity Pritchard liked it. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3602-if-you-cant-dance-to-this-you-cant-do-nothing-for-me-baby/&do=findComment&comment=50036 The Kincaides thought it well sung. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3519-dont-you-know-that-we-are-living-in-a-golden-age/&do=findComment&comment=49766 John Howard thought it well sung. http://www.thelondonliferpg.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3552-escape-the-pain-of-life-that-you-know/&do=findComment&comment=47869