(Soprano)
directed by SIDNEY FIRMAN
CYRIL LIDINGTON (Entertainer)
from Restaurant Frascati
LESLEY DUDLEY (Soprano) ; EVELYN RUEGG (Violin); BERTHA HACART (Pianoforte)
' YOURS VERY SINCERELY!'
First delivery 5.15 p.m.
There will be others during the Programme
The Pillar Box ' provided by Tony GALLOWAY
Answers to Correspondonts, by Aunt PRISCILLA
(in person)
' Notes ' by THE OLOF SEXTET
directed by SIDNEY FIRMAN
BEETHOVEN VARIATIONS for Pianoforte
Played by JOHN PAUER
Six Variations on an original Theme in F, Op. 34
7.25 Sir EDWARD DENISON Ross : ' Eastern Art and Literature-V, Persian Culture '
WILL GARDNER (Entertainer)
MUNRO and MILLS
(Syncopation on Two Pianos)
CAROL BALAN and his GIPSY BAND
RUBY MILLER AND Co.
In a Sketch
'GREAT HEIGHTS' by H. C. G. STEVENS
MASSED BANDS
March, Under Two Flags' (Composed in 1918 by Adjutant Bramwell-
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING GARRISON SINGERS
Song for Full Chorus, ' I am the Resurrection and the Life' (Words and Music by Major Coller, Conducted by the Composer)
THE INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND
Selection, 'Cleansing Current' (Composed by Lieut.-Colonel Goldsmith, Conducted by the Composer)
MASSED BANDS
Selection, ' Adoration ' (Composed by Captain
Eric Ball )
THE BANDS TAKING PART IN THE MASSED
PLAYING ARE :
THE INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND
CHALK FARM BAND
CAMBRIDGE HEATH BAND
REGENT HALL BAND
PENOE BAND and CONGRESS HALL BAND
(Clapton)
(Continued)
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.
'Merrie England'
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.
Cast:
Bessie Throckmorton (Maid of Honour to the Queen): GWLADYS NAISH
Jill All-Alone (A Supposed Witch) MARGARET BALFOUR
Queen Elizabeth............
Sir Walter Raleigh ....FRANCIS Russell
The Earl of Essex .. STUART ROBERTSON
A Tailor .................. Tom Purvis
A Baker ................ JOHN COLLETT
A Tinker .............. STANLEY RILEY
Long Tom...........SAMUEL DYSON
The WIRELESS Chorus (Chorus-Master, STANFORD ROBINSON
THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA (Leader: S. KNEALE KELLEY)
Conducted by Sir EDWARD GERMAN
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.
KETTNER's FIVE, under the direction of GEOFFREY GIELDER , from Kettnor's Restaurant
