Ruddigore

Ruddigore; or, The Witch 's Curse, in the original version Ruddygore, is an English operetta ( "Comic Opera " ) in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan to a libretto by WS Gilbert. The premiere of the play took place on January 22, 1887 at the Savoy Theatre by the D' Oyly Carte Opera Company instead.

Action

Act I

The bridesmaids of Reder ring, a village in Cornwall, are concerned that for six months, no more marriage has taken place. All the young men hope for a marriage to Rose Maybud, the most beautiful girls of the village, but are too shy to confess her love. The desperate bridesmaids ask Roses aunt, Dame Hannah, if she did not want to marry, but these declines. Many years ago, Hannah was in love with a young man who, as Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, one of the bad Baronets of Ruddigore, emerged. You tell that to all the Baronets of Ruddigore a curse that condemns them to commit a crime every day. If they do not do this, so they have to die in horrible agony.

Rose kicks in and noticed that all the young men she meets are naughty and violated her "Book of Etiquette " - with the exception of Robin oakapple, a prosperous young farmer. But even this is very shy, and her etiquette book forbids Rose to speak to him. Robin meets Rose and asks her shy around a piece of advice for " a friend ". Rose makes hints that they so also have a friend, but both separate again without an open declaration of love.

Robin's faithful servant, Old Adam is brought about. Robin sharpens him never to reveal that he in reality Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, and twenty years ago, fled from his old country house, in order not to have to inherit the title of Baronet of Ruddigore and associated curse. Robin's foster brother, the sailor Richard Dauntless, comes ashore. Robin asks him to speak in his place rose and tell her that he loves her. As Richard Rose sees, he falls in love with her and even asks for her hand immediately. Rose agrees after she pulled her etiquette book to rate. When Robin learns of the situation, he has rose to the many weaknesses of Richard. Rose sees her mistake and agrees to marry Robin ready.

Rose applies Margaret,. Due to their unrequited love for Sir Despard, the current "bad baronet " of Ruddigore, has become misleading Margaret Rose met with furious jealousy, but this truthfully assured that she is already engaged to another man. Sir Despard arrives in the village and away the village girls and the men who come around the city to woo them. Richard comes to Sir Despard and tells him that Robin is his deceased older brother Felt Ruthven. Despard is pleased at the prospect, " to be free " and finally no need to commit more crimes.

The villagers gather for the wedding of Rose and Robin. Sir Despard interrupts the ceremony and explains that when his older brother Robin carries the legal title of baronet of Ruddigore. Shocked by this revelation offers Rose Despard to the marriage. Sir Despard refuses because he now has to get married as an honorable man his old fiancée Margaret, who is delighted. Rose decides to marry Richard because it " is the only one that remains ." Of all despised, Robin pulls them to now lead the hated life as a baronet.

Second Act

At the Castle of Ruddigore Robin broods ( now Sir Ruthven ) together with Old Adam about what crimes he is now to commit an evil Baronet. Richard and Rose enter to ask Robin for his permission to marry, which he left reluctantly. The spirits of ancestors Robins come from her portraits to interview Robin to his crimes balance. Description of Robin his "crimes" - including the forgery of his own will and a false income tax return - is not able to convince the spirits. Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, Robins late uncle, orders to kidnap a lady on the same day. Robin is outraged, but must consent after the spirits have given him a taste of the anticipated agony. He tells Adam, any lady to abduct from the village.

Despard and Mad Margaret now leads a quiet, monotonous life in public service. Both Robin try to convince them to renounce his crimes. Robin agrees and vowed to oppose his ancestors. Meanwhile, Adam has performed its mission and calculated Dame Hannah dragged into the castle. Hannah sits down opposite Robin to defend themselves vigorously, so this calls his deceased uncle for help. Sir Roderic appears and sees his old love. Upset that Robin has kidnapped his former fiancee, he sends him away, and left with Hannah.

Robin rushes in, accompanied by Rose, Richard and bridesmaids. He explains that a baronet of Ruddigore only dies by renouncing his daily crime. But this would amount to suicide, which is a crime itself. Therefore, his ancestors would never ever have to die. Roderic follows this logic and realizes that he is "practically on life." Since Robin is now freed from the curse, Rose says to turn away from Richard and renewed her betrothal with Robin, while Richard is content with the first bridesmaid.

Musical numbers

The operetta underwent several revisions by Gilbert and Sullivan, and later by the D' Oyly Carte Opera Company, so there are several versions of some pieces.

• Original Overture arranged by Hamilton Clarke
• Revised Overture arranged by Geoffrey Toye (1920 )

• "When a man HAS BEEN a naughty baronet " (Ensemble )
• Alternative version: "For happy the lily" (Reprise, Ensemble )