Complete Concert Version of the Opera Written by Basil Hood and composed by Edward German.
9.35 London and Daventry.
The only English light opera that has ever seriously rivalled the popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan (with both of whom, by the way, Sir Edward German collaborated at different times) was first produced at the Savoy Theatre, the scene of their successes, in April, 1902. Since then its music has become very familiar, and listeners will hear many of their favourite tunes in the concert version of the opera that will be broadcast to-night.
Act I.
The Opera opens on the bank of the Thames, opposite Windsor, with the townsfolk assembling for May Day revels. After some diversions caused by the love bickerings between Tailor, Baker, Butcher and Tinker, Jill-All-Alone comes in; a maid of the forest, she loves all wild things, and is taken by some ignorant folk for a witch. The plot begins to unfold when Raleigh enters with his light-hearted song about every Jack and his Jill (and gill). He is in love with Bessie Throckmorton, maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth.
Now a snare is woven. The Earl of Essex plots to ruin Raleigh by bringing to Queen Elizabeth's ears news of Sir Walter's love for Bessie ; for Essex knows Elizabeth is a jealous Queen, and will brook no rivals. The Queen, on her royal barge, comes to the revels, and is hailed in a chorus, 'Long live Elizabeth!' She sings of 'peaceful England,' and then there is a passage of words, and almost of arms, between Essex and Raleigh; but peace is restored.
Jill is accused before the Queen of witchcraft, Long Tom the forester manfully standing up for her. Essex finds in her possession some acrostic verses that Raleigh wrote about Bessie, and shows them to the Queen, who thinks their compliments were meant for her; but Raleigh boldly declares that his troth is plighted to Bessie. Elizabeth, slighted, is furious. She orders poor Jill to be confined within the Castle, there soon to be burnt, Sir Walter to go in banishment, and Bessie to be imprisoned.
Act II.
Jill has escaped and returned to the forest. She has freed Bessie too. Raleigh is also at hand. He enters dressed as a forester, having shaved off his beard. He meets Jill, and tolls her of his unhappiness. The Queen of the May is to be crowned, and there is revelry and dancing by the townsfolk. The disguised Raleigh asks that he may join the Morris dancers who are going to the Castle, and play a lover, hinting that he wishes to be near a sweet maid in Windsor. Permission is given, and all go off.
Now Jill and Bessie come in. Bessie sings a waltz song, 'Who shall say that love is cruel?' whilst Jill goes off, returning with Raleigh. But Essex has followed him, and Raleigh fears for his liberty. Essex, however, asks for his friendship, for he has found that Sir Walter is not really his rival for Elizabeth's hand. He has a new plot by which everything may be put straight, and everyone pleased. He gets Tom the forester to put on a skin and pretend to be Herne the Hunter who, he tells the Queen, only appears when the sovereign contemplates a crime. In the midst of a Masque a hunting horn is heard, and Tom, got up as Herne, appears. Essex pretends he sees nothing, and Elizabeth is perturbed. At this moment comes a messenger to tell of the escape of Bessie and Jill. Elizabeth, frightened by the warning apparition she thinks she has seen, decrees the pardon of these two, and of Raleigh. The lovers are united, and all join in the Finale.
