Haddon Hall (opera)
Haddon Hall is an English light opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by Sydney Grundy.
The opera, set at the eponymous hall, dramatises the legend of Dorothy Vernon's elopement with John Manners, resetting the tale in the 17th century.
It premiered at the Savoy Theatre on 24 September 1892 for a modestly successful run of 204 performances, closing on 15 April 1893.
[4] For the opera, Grundy moved the story forward to about 1660, adding the conflict between the Royalists and the Roundheads as a backdrop to the plot.
The 1892 opening night cast included such Savoy Theatre favourites as Courtice Pounds as John Manners, Charles Kenningham as Oswald, Rutland Barrington as Rupert Vernon, W. H. Denny as The McCrankie, and Rosina Brandram as Lady Vernon.
Most of the comedy is derived from satiric swipes at the hypocritical Puritans who arrive with Rupert Vernon.
[10] The whereabouts of the composer's autograph score were not publicly known until Terence Rees purchased it at auction in 1966.
[11] Sir George Vernon was a prosperous and hospitable landowner in Derbyshire, and his family seat was at Haddon Hall.
Shielded by the crowd during a ball given by Sir George, Dorothy slipped away and fled through the gardens, down stone steps and over a footbridge where Manners was waiting for her, and they rode away to be married.
[16] In the libretto Grundy wrote, "The clock of Time has been put forward a century, and other liberties have been taken with history."
In the opera, the Vernons also had an older son, who died in naval service, leaving Dorothy as his sole heir.
[17] John Manners (tenor) – Courtice Pounds Sir George Vernon (baritone) – Richard Green Oswald (tenor) – Charles Kenningham ) ) Royalists ) Rupert Vernon (baritone) – Rutland Barrington Roundhead The McCrankie (bass-baritone) – W. H. Denny Sing-Song Simeon (bass) – Rudolph Lewis Kill-Joy Candleman (non-singing) – W. H. Leon Nicodemus Knock-Knee (bass) – Arthur W. Fowles Barnabas Bellows-to-Mend (bass) – George de Pledge ) ) ) Puritans ) ) Major Domo (baritone) – H. Gordon Dorothy Vernon (soprano) – Lucille Hill Lady Vernon (contralto) – Rosina Brandram Dorcas (mezzo-soprano) – Dorothy Vane Nance (mezzo-soprano) – Nita Cole Gertrude (mezzo-soprano) – Claribel Hyde Deborah (soprano) – Florence Easton It is 1660, just before the Restoration of the Monarchy.
Sir George fears that this dispute will be resolved in favour of his cousin, who has strong ties to the current government, and that his family would lose Haddon Hall.
To secure the estate's long-term future, Sir George has arranged a marriage between Rupert and his only surviving child, Dorothy Vernon.
Prologue The opera begins with an offstage chorus in praise of the "stately homes of England."
Sir George urges Dorothy to cheer up, so that she will make a good impression on her cousin, Rupert.
Sir George replies that Manners would be a suitable husband only if he will swear an oath in support of parliament.
Sir George offers his daughter's hand, but Lady Vernon and Dorothy once again urge him to relent.
They are joined by The McCrankie, a particularly strict Puritan from the Isle of Rum, in Scotland, who sings a song accompanied on the bagpipes.
The frantic Sir George orders horses and gathers up his men to chase after them, with Rupert and the Puritans following.
Although he has generously permitted Sir George and Lady Vernon to remain on the estate, they have no intention of staying.
