Fair Rosamond (opera)

Fair Rosamond is an English historical opera in four acts composed by John Barnett, written in 1837 to a libretto by Charles Zachary Barnett, after the legend of Rosamund Clifford ("Fair Rosamond" or the "Rose of the World"), the 12th century mistress of King Henry II who was said to have been poisoned by the King's wife, Queen Eleanor.

Critics were generally appreciative of the composition and Barnett's attempts to build an English grand opera, but complained of slow pacing in the libretto.

As Act II opens, Queen Eleanor is singing a song of farewell to her native France ("The lily no longer my brow must bind").

Act III opens with a song of longing by de Vere, while all the parties gather for the coronation in Westminster.

Act IV takes place in Rosamond's Bower, which is not like the maze of legend, but is represented as a garden pavilion here.

Rosamond and Henry take turns singing ballads of longing, there is an interlude for a ballet, and a five-part Madgrigal is sung ("Merrily Wake Music's Measure").