Tom Jones (opera)

"Tom Jones" is a comic opera in three acts by Edward German founded upon the Henry Fielding's novel "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" with a libretto by Robert Courtneidge and Alexander M. Thompson and lyrics by Charles H. Taylor. The opera premiered at the Princes' Theatre in Manchester, England, on April 3 1907, opening in London at the Apollo Theatre on April 17 for an initial run of 110 performances. It starred Ruth Vincent as Sophia and Hayden Coffin as Tom Jones. Costume designs were by the imaginative designer C. Wilhelm. ["Mr. Pitcher's Art" - Obituary "The Times" 3 March 1925]

The piece also had a Broadway run later in 1907, which interpolated the song "King Neptune" from German's 1902 comic opera, "Merrie England", into the third act.

Due to the perceived raciness of the original novel even into the 20th century, the opera was initially avoided by amateur performing groups, but eventually reached a level of popularity comparable to "Merrie England". A few modern performing groups such as the Shaw Festival have found the libretto to be an excessively diluted version of the original novel and have produced rewritten versions with revised lyrics and dialogue.

The opera is best known from a suite of three of its dance numbers for orchestra and the Act III waltz song, which can be found on numerous recordings.

ynopsis

*Act I – The Lawn at Squire Western's

Tom Jones, although a foundling, is popular for his geniality and sportsmanship. Tom is in love with Sophia, Squire Western's daughter, but her father wishes her to marry Blifil, Allworthy's nephew and heir. Blifil proposes, but is rejected. Tom and Sophia are discouraged by Western, who angrily rejects Tom's plea for Sophia's hand.
*Act II – The Inn at Upton

Sophia runs away to an inn at Upton, where she is to meet Tom and elope with him. Meantime, Tom has rescued Lady Bellaston from highwaymen and brings her to the inn. Unknown to the others, Western and Blifil are there too, searching for Sophia. Lady Bellaston makes love to Tom, and Sophia, led to believe him false, leaves at once. Partridge knows the secret of Tom's birth and tells Western that he is really the elder nephew of Allworthy.
*Act III – Ranelagh Gardens

Sophia has gone to live with her kinswoman, Lady Bellaston. Tom finds her, the misunderstanding is cleared up, and Western consents to their union.

Roles

*Tom Jones, "a Foundling" (high baritone)
*Mr. Allworthy, "a Somersetshire Magistrate" (bass)
*Blifil, "his Nephew" (baritone)
*Benjamin Partridge, "a Village Barber" (comic baritone)
*Squire Western, "a "fine Old English Gentleman" (baritone)
*Gregory, Grizzle, and Dobbin, "his Servants" (baritones)
*Squire Cloddy, Pimlott, and Tony, "friends of Squire Western" (non-singing)
*"An Officer" (tenor)
*"Two Highwaymen" (non-singing)
*"Post Boy" (non-singing)
*"Waiter" (non-speaking)
*Colonel Hampstead (non-singing)
*Tom Edwards (non-singing)
*Colonel Wilcox (non-singing)
*Sophia, "Squire Western's daughter" (soprano)
*Honour, "Maid to Sophia" (mezzo-soprano)
*Miss Western, "Squire Western's Sister" (non-singing)
*Lady Bellaston, "a Lady of Quality" (soprano)
*Etoff, "her Maid" (non-speaking)
*"Hostess of the Inn at Upton" (soprano)
*Bessie Wiseacre, Lettie Wheatcroft, and Rosie Lucas, "Friends of Sophia" (non-singing)
*Susan, "Serving Maid at Upton" (non-singing)
*Betty and Peggy, "Waiting Maids" (mezzo-sopranos)

*Chorus of Ladies, Gallants, Huntsmen, Soldiers, etc.

Musical numbers

*Introduction

Act I

*1. "Don't you find the weather charming?" (Chorus)
*2. "On a Januairy Morning" (Squire Western, Chorus)
*3. "West Country Lad" (Tom, Chorus)
*4. "To-day my spinet" (Sophia)
*5. "Wisdom says 'Festina Lente'" (Sophia, Honour, Tom)
*6. "The Barley Mow" (Honour and Gregory, with Betty, Peggy, Dobbin, Grizzle)
*7. Madrigal: "Here's a paradox for lovers" (Sophia, Honour, Tom, Allworthy)
*8. Finale Act I (Ensemble)

Act II

*9. "Hurry, Bustle! Hurry, bustle!" (Chorus, Hostess, Officer)
*10. "A person of parts" (Partridge, Chorus)
*11. "Dream o' Day Jill" (Sophia)
*12. "Gurt Uncle Jan Tappit" (Gregory, Chorus)
*12a. "My Lady's coach has been attacked" (Chorus, Hostess)
*13. "As all the Maids" (Honour)
*14. Laughing Trio: "You have a pretty wit" (Honour, Gregory, Partridge)
*15. "A soldier's scarlet coat" (Tom, Chorus)
*16. "Love maketh the heart a garden fair" (Sophia, Chorus)
*17. Finale Act II (Ensemble)

Act III

*18. Introduction to Act III, Morris Dance
*18a. Gavotte: "Glass of Fashion, Mould of Form" (Chorus)
*19. "The Green Ribbon" (Honour, Male Chorus)
*20. "If love's content" (Tom)
*21. Barcarolle: "Beguile, beguile, with music sweet" (Trio of Female Voices, Chorus)
*21a. Recitative and Waltz Song: "Which is my own true self?" ... "For Tonight" (Sophia)
*22. "Says a well-worn Saw" (Honour, Partridge, Gregory)
*22a. Melos
*23. Finale Act III: "Hark! The Merry Marriage Bells" (Ensemble)

References

External links

* [http://www.hometown.aol.com/edwardgermandisc/tomjonesrec.html "Tom Jones"] at The Edward German Discography
* [http://musicaltheatreguide.com/composers/german/tom_jones.htm "Tom Jones"] at The Guide to Light Opera and Operetta
* [http://www.nodanw.com/shows_t/tom_jones.htm Description of "Tom Jones"]
* [http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=6470 Information about the Broadway production]