Tom Jones (Edward German)

[1] The piece also had a popular Broadway run at the Astor Theatre beginning on 11 November 1907,[3] which interpolated the song "King Neptune" from German's 1902 comic opera, Merrie England, into the third act.

[1] Due to the perceived raciness of the original novel even into the 20th century, the opera was initially avoided by amateur performing groups, but eventually reached a level of popularity comparable to Merrie England.

Richard Traubner asked in Opera News: But does a Tom Jones that pleased a refined Edwardian clientele still hold up, especially after Tony Richardson's famous 1963 film version...?

The libretto is almost devoid of ribaldry, many of the lyrics are a sorry collection of Latin locutions and/or olde-English fa-la-las, and the patter songs are pallid lists.

That leaves Edward German's music, which is for the most part very accomplished, beautifully orchestrated and redolent of both the English countryside (Somerset) and London's pleasure gardens (Ranelagh) in the eighteenth century.

Somehow, this composer of antique incidental music for the stage ... feels more at home in the operetta world with the Elizabethan setting of his patriotic Merrie England.

But that would deprive us of hearing German's fine martial songs; his convoluted, challenging chorus writing; some very catchy ditties for the soubrette, Honour; the famous coloratura waltz-song for the heroine, Sophia; and most important, his sweeping finales, which have a breadth that occasionally just touches Ralph Vaughan Williams territory.

[4]The opera is best known for a suite of three of its dance numbers for orchestra and the act 3 waltz song, which can be found on numerous recordings.

[4][5] Act 1 – The Lawn at Squire Western's Tom Jones, a foundling adopted in infancy by Mr Allworthy, is popular for his geniality and sportsmanship.

Tom is in love with Sophia, Squire Western's daughter, but her father wishes her to marry Blifil, Allworthy's nephew and heir.

Act 2 – The Inn at Upton Sophia, accompanied by Honour, has run away, intending to seek refuge with Lady Bellaston, her cousin, in London.