The Hon. Mrs. G. ST. AUBYN , The Difficult Child '—I
BLANCHE HARRISON (Contralto)
THE GEORGIAN TRIO
By CHRISTOPHER STONE
From Westminster Abbey
EVELINE STEVENSON (Soprano)
CUTHBERT SMITH (Baritone) SONIA MOLDAWSKY (Violin)
Olive TOMLINSON (Pianoforte)
' The Policeman,' ' The Organ-Grinder," and other songs from ' Over the Garden Wall ' (Barcroft), sung by HELEN ALSTON
' The Notice Board' from ' Variety Lane'
(E. V. Lucas)
The Story of ' Gnome Knob and the One-Way Street,' written and told by RALPH DE ROHAN
HAYDN STRING QUARTETS
Played by THE BROSA STRING QUARTET
in 'The Curse'
By ' 'PEDLAR'
- Act I.
Relayed from The Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden
THERE are four scenes in the first Act. The first, following without a break on the Overture, is begun by the Don's servant, Leporello, complaining of his arduous life. He is awaiting his master in the garden of the Governor's house. His meditations are interrupted by the Don him. self, rushing from the house pursued by Donna Anna , the Governor's daughter, who resents his attentions, and she is soon followed by her father. He draws his sword, and the Don, defending himself, kills the old gentleman. Don Ottavio , the lady's betrothed, hurries to her aid, and they leave together, vowing venegance on the murderer. No sooner have they gone than Donna Elvira enters, one of Giovanni's former loves. She sings of her hatred of Giovanni. He, hearing the voice of a lady in distress, hurries forward to offer consolation, but, recognizing her, bids Leporello take his place, and vanishes. It is then that Leporello sings the famous
Catalogue' song.
The next scene shows us a crowd of country people celebrating the betrothal of the peasant girl Zerlina and Masetto. Don Giovanni and Leporello join the company, and the Don is at once attracted by the simple charm of the country maid. He sends the whole party to dance in his palace, close at hand, but keeps Zerlina with him. They sing the duet Give me thy hand.' Elvira comes on the scene again, followed soon after by Donna Anna and Ottavio. Only as Giovanni is about to leave them does Donna Anna recognize, by his voice, the man who killed her father, and enlists the help of the other two for her vengeance.
The next scene is the festival in the palace. The Don orders wine for the company, in the splendid ' cham. pagne aria. Another favourite number, soon afterwards, is Zerlina's plea to Masetto for forgiveness, admitting that she did flirt with the Don, an aria which breaks into triumph as she sees him relenting. In the midst of the festivities three guests in masks come in. Pausing on the threshold, they sing the impressive 'Trio of the Masks,' and then the dance begins with the well-known Minuet, while two little orchestras on the stage play a rustic quadrille and a waltz. The three tunes are combined in the most cunning way. The Don leads Zerlina off to an inner room, while Leporello diverts Masetto's attention by seizing him and forcing him into a merry waltz. A cry for help is heard from Zerlina, and the Don rushes in, pretending that Leporello was her assailant. The three avengers, Anna, Zerlina, and Ottavio, taking off their masks, however, denounce Giovanni to all the company, and with drawn sword ho has to cut his way through the assembled people.
From now until 4.0 a.m. the Election results will be announced as they come through.
with CHORUS
(After the musical programme has concluded, any further Election results that come to hand will be announced up to 4.0 a.m.)
