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[[Opera]] in four acts with music by the [[British]] [[composer]] [[Frederic Hymen Cowen|Frederic H. Cowen]] to a [[libretto]] by [[Joseph Bennett]] after the Icelandic tale ''Viglund the Fair'', first performed at the [[Drury Lane Theatre]], [[London]] on 22 April [[1890]]. |
[[Opera]] in four acts with music by the [[British]] [[composer]] [[Frederic Hymen Cowen|Frederic H. Cowen]] to a [[libretto]] by [[Joseph Bennett]] after the Icelandic tale ''Viglund the Fair'', first performed at the [[Drury Lane Theatre]], [[London]] on 22 April [[1890]]. |
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The Plot: |
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The action commences on the shore of a fiord in Rogaland, near by the dwelling of Jarl Eric, one of the chiefs of the country…Watch is being kept for the arrival of Harold Fairhair, King of Norway, who is expected on a visit to Jarl Eric. At the sound of a distant horn and at a signal, groups of warriors and women rush forward to await the sovereign’s coming. They burst into a joyous chorus of welcome. Eric having greeted the King, his warriors perform a martial dance. Harold responds, by singing a war-like ballad. Whilst the King and his host retire for a while, the warriors amuse themselves by singing a drinking chorus. A quarrel arises between the two sons of Eric. Of these, Helgi is the legitimate offspring and Thorgrim the love-child of the Jari. Amid the encouraging cries of their respective supporters, the young men struggle with each other, and the fight is about to become general when King Harold and Eric, together with Arnora, the mother of Helgi, re-enter and restore peace. Eric, at the King’s request, introduces his sons, of whom Thorgrim is at once granted the royal preference. Arnora, jealous on Helgi’s account, covertly urges her friends to delay no longer, but kill Thorgrim. Thorgrim now swears allegiance to the King. One of the brother’s supporters subsequently picks a quarrel with him, and the fiery young Norseman kills him with his sword. Again Harold stops the growing furore, and at Eric’s request appoints Thorgrim a ‘Kings-man’. The latter repeats his spirited song of faith, which is now taken up by the rest, and the act ends. |
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The second act, which takes place in a hall in King Harold’s house, opens with the principal Jarls, with their ladies and attendants, entering in procession. Among them are Jarl Thorir and his beauteous daughter, Olof Sunbeam, with whom Thorgrim straightaway falls in love. He approaches the maiden and expresses his admiration for her. Olof, equally impressed by the young man’s handsome appearance, accepts his advances graciously, and, although her hand is promised in marriage to Helgi, accompanies Thorgrim to the feast. When all have departed to the feast, Helgi and his mother remain behind to rent their anger. On the return of the King and his guests, Thorgrim sings to them a song. He then boldly asks Thorir for the hand of his daughter. The Jarl refuses, and the lover reiterates his request to the King. Harold, however, will not interfere, so Thorgrim retaliates by throwing off his allegiance and hurling defiance at the whole assembly. Despite Olof’s appeals, he makes off. |
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With the third act…Three months have passed, and Olof is pining for her absent lover. She sits with her women in the glade of a forest near her father’s house, and, amid the crimson light of an autumn sunset, the girl’s strive to cheer their mistress with some ancient legend. Left to herself, Olof pours out her sorrows and aspirations. The arrival of Thorgrim, gives rise to a long and elaborate love scene. At the close of which Helgi, whose spy has observed the meeting of the lovers, rushes on with Arnora and menaces Thorgrim with his drawn sword. Before a blow can be struck, however, Helgi loses courage, and, to his mother’s evident disgust, turns aside from his purpose. Olof restrains Thorgrim’s hand, and on this somewhat dubious situation the act ends. |
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Helgi’s gratitude to Thorgrim for sparing his life does not lead him so far as to relinquish his claim to Olof’s hand, since at the opening of the last act we find him about to be wedded to the fair Sunbeam. In the Firehall of Jarl Thorir’s home Arnora vainly endeavours to comfort her cowardly son, who utters his sad complaints. The wedding procession enters, but as the ceremony is about to begin, Thorgrim startles the assembly by suddenly appearing on the scene. He challenges Helgi to fight, but the offer is declined. Olof leaves her bridegroom and takes her place at Thorgrim’s side, boldly declaring that she will share her fate with him alone. In a moment Thorgrim’s men extinguish the lights, and amid the tumult and confusion the lover’s escape. Next we see Thorgrim’s ship already in the distance conveying him with his Olof away to sea. |
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<references/> |
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==References== |
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*{{1911}} |
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* Cowen, F. H., ''My Art and My Friends'', London, Arnold, 1913 |
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* Sadie, S. (ed.) (1980) ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians'', 5. |
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* Burton, N., Grove Music Online (ed. Macy, L.) <http://www.grovemusic.com>. |
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* Parker, C. J. (2007), unpublished Ph.D Thesis (University of Durham, U.K.): 'The Principal Works of Frederic H. Cowen (1852-1935)'. |
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Revision as of 17:57, 11 April 2007
[original research?] Opera in four acts with music by the British composer Frederic H. Cowen to a libretto by Joseph Bennett after the Icelandic tale Viglund the Fair, first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre, London on 22 April 1890.