The Laurel Octavo Edition
Of Famous Operas
MARTHA
LIBRETTO
C. C. BIRCHARD & COMPANY
BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS
HIAWATHA'S
CHILDHOOD
OPERETTA IN ONE ACT
FOR UNCHANGED VOICES
60 cents
TEXT BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
MUSIC BY BESSIE M. WHITELEY
FOR PERFORMANCE IN GRAMMAR AND HIGH SCHOOLS
TIME OF PERFORMANCE 40 MINUTES
of Music Clubs' Competition," closing September 1,
1912, in the Operetta Class (Unchanged Voices)
Performed before the
National Federation of Music Clubs' Convention,
Chicago, Illinois, April 25, 1913;
under the direction of
M. TERESA ARMITAGE
who writes as follows:
C. C. BIRCHARD & COMPANY :: Boston, Mass.
LAUREL OCTAVO
MARTHA
or
The Fair at Richmond
Text by
W. FRIEDRICH
Music by
FRIEDRICH VON FLOTOW
THE ENGLISH EDITED BY
M. LOUISE BAUM
THE MUSIC EDITED BY
GLEN CARLE
C. C. BIRCHARD & COMPANY
BOSTON MASS.
GEORGE E. LASK
MUSIC COLLECTION
Copyright, 1913
BY
C. C. BIRCHARD & COMPANY
Stanhope Press
F. H. GILSON COMPANY
BOSTON, U.S.A.
The Laurel Octavo Edition of Martha
is the outcome of extended and careful work, having for its aim the presentation of a version of this opera which shall be adapted primarily for use in schools.
It is suitable for performance in concert form as well as on the stage with scenery and in costume.
Everything of value in the musical score has been retained in the present edition. All dull and uninteresting numbers and tedious unnecessary repetitions have been left out, while the valuable music of the opera has been retained and the same has been brought together into a harmonious whole.
The text has been revised and, where necessary, rewritten, and is superior to the editions now current both in literary excellence and in the valuable desideratum of "accents" and other adaptabilities to musical utterance.
The Laurel Octavo Libretto of MARTHA supplies the dialogue, stage directions and everything in which the copy for concert purposes is lacking to make the Opera suitable for stage representation.
Costumes may be obtained through the publishers.
Orchestration of this edition may be obtained from the publishers.
C. C. Birchard & Company
CONTENTS
MARTHA
ACT ONE.
(Lady Harriet, maid of honor to the queen, has grown listless and pale, refusing to join in the court revels. Sir Tristan, an old knight, makes love to her; she will have nothing to say to him, and only asks to be let alone. She is tired of her conventional life, and longs for some new and strange adventure. The curtain rises on her richly furnished boudoir. Lady Harriet is lying listlessly on a couch or arm chair, before her dressing table. Nancy is putting finishing touches on her mistress' toilet. The ladies in attendance are grouped near the door in center.)
No. 1.
Sweet as any April flow'r,
Gay of heart, of gentle bearing,
Bless'd with beauty's radiant dower,
Why so sad and pale with languor
Grows thy face, O lovely maid?
Why our friendly circle shunning,
Dost thou sigh alone,
As were some dawning joy delayed?
Every splendid gift of fortune,
All that riches can impart,
Waits upon the maiden's pleasure,
Nothing wins her heart.
I've no heart for lovers' folly,
Every pleasure is at end.
Lady H. Ah, there's naught can win my sad and weary heart.
All your words are vain.
No. 2.
You the Queen's gay court adorn,
Tho' from all a tribute claiming,
Think not love alone to scorn.
Pastimes for your pleasure framing,
We all labor night and day,
Sorrow still your soul is weighing,
All your thoughts to sadness bend,
If I fail in grief allaying,
In its spring your life will end.
Love, wealth, fame, not weighing,
In its spring time my life will end.
There's naught that charm to life can lend.
Footman (enters, speaks). Sir Tristan of Mickleford, Member of the House of Lords, Knight honored—
Lady H. (interrupting). We'll spare you the rest.
(Enter Sir Tristan with flowers. Bows to the ladies, presents flowers, which Lady H. looks at carelessly and drops on table beside her. He is an elderly beau very precise in manner. A few of the ladies return, stealing on the stage to watch the scene, remaining at rear.)
No. 3.
Hear my suit and do not chaff.
I would say that I adore you—
He would make a mummy laugh.
Would you deign—disdain—an offer—
Happy omen, well I know,
O, if mine could be this treasure,
Happy man were I, that's so!
What a funny old beau, Ah!
A funny beau.
Tris. (speaks). Fair Cousin, may I ah—dare hope that you—er—will so far condescend to me—uh—uh—as to go for a walk in the park?
Lady H (indifferently). Go fetch my fan!
Tris. (brings it. Lady H. fans violently). Would it amuse you to—er—er—let us say—go out for a row on the river?
Lady H. (ignoring him, glances round). It seems very chilly here. Shut the window—there's a good man!
Tris. (rubbing his hands). Shall we go hunting, perhaps? It's a capital day for it.
Lady H. (fans herself violently again). O, how close it is! Air—give me air! Open the window.
Tris. Why, I just closed it, at your command. (Stands with hands spread out in comical dismay.)
Lady H. (impatiently). Open it, open it—don't you hear? Quick, air! (very affectedly).
Nan. (aside). My lord is running for the prize.
No. 3a.
Fate a home shall allot;
She who works and not shirks,
Finds her fun, when 'tis done.
We will serve through thin and thick,
Masters kind, come and bind,
If we find you to our mind.
This is Richmond market day.
Where the servants, flocking yearly,
Seek new masters, better pay.
What a thought!
How I'd like to go among them,
See such curious prizes bought!
That we wore at the fancy dress ball.
(Nancy is busy at chiffonier at one side. Tosses bright colored kerchief out. Lady H. picks it up and throws it over her head as the singing goes on.)
Hurry Nancy, we must run,
Now at last I'll have some fun!
Martha (curtseys), Nancy (curtseys) and—old John!
(Tosses her kerchief over Tristan's head, blinding him. Tris. is bewildered, kerchief hanging over one eye.)
You are old John!
No that's too much.
With caprices we comply,
Else we see tears fall in showers,
See, dear John, these charming flowers—
(Gives him flowers from his own nosegay. He kisses her hand, puts flowers in coat.)
(lifts skirt at side and dances a step).
With the village people dancing,
Nancy's partner you're enroll'd.
Man can do all, if he's bold.
This way, that way, loosely hopping,
Each one jigging as he can,
Lumb'ring, stumbling, never stopping,
Mighty maze without a plan.
That's well I vow.
'Tis we who ask, so come along.
(All run off stage dancing, Tristan between the two ladies, who drag him.)
ACT TWO.
(Curtain rises on Richmond market place. Stall around sides of stage and back. In foreground, tables and benches; side show of some funny sort. Tents at one side. Country folk walking about, farmers and wives.)
No. 4.
Yes, come, but come with cheerful looks!
Handsome is as handsome does,
The rule that suits our books.
Hasten, hasten, cheerful maidens,
Do not linger on the way,
Soon the Hiring Fair will open
And advancing is the day.
Done! once the bargain is agreed to
Neither can undo it.
Done! faithful servants, kindly masters,
Neither then will rue it.
Neatness is the best of graces,
Smooth of hair come every one;
In a row all take your places,
Soon the choosing will be done.
If you'll be but quick and neat
And try to do your best,
You will find a happy home,
And the pay of your deserving. Come!
Find a home, yes, come.
Fate a home will allot, etc.
We have waited you many a day.
We are tired, we are shy.
The best rule that ever was.
(Farmers and wives try to bring servants into a line forward on stage. The servants hold back.)
Now we shall know,
Just where each girl is going to go.
Now our journey's o'er and here we rest with you at last,
After many a mile so long and lone is over past.
(Servants scatter about stage, some lying down as if to rest, as Lionel and Plunket enter. They come on talking. Plunket is dressed as a peasant farmer and carries a whip. Lionel is dressed as a gentleman, but plainly.)
Plunket. Here is a jolly howdoyoudo. What a clatter they make! The farmers are all going to engage servants for the coming year out of this crowd of chattering hussies. It is a good thing to take your time to choose, though, for once the bargain is made you have to stick to it for at least a year. What do you say, Lionel? Have you picked out your Betsy Ann?
Lionel. Betsy Ann—what do you mean? (He speaks absently, slowly, and his demeanor throughout is one of dreamy abstraction. He is very grave and pensive, altogether a young man who would be likely to take a love affair very seriously and perhaps lose his mental balance temporarily over it.)
Plun. I mean our serving girl. You know mother put it in her will that we must keep up the farm together. So now like two good housewives we must fly around and choose a maid. Her name may be Sally or Katy or Jane, but I shall call her Betsy Ann! (Laughs.)
Lio. I shall always remember your dear mother and be grateful.
Plun. Yes, she was a good woman and a good mother, aye, a good manager, too. She knew how to make the maids attend to their work.
Lio. But she was kind. She was always so kind to me.
Plun. Yes, she loved you. If you had
Lio. You have always been a real brother to me, Plunket. No helpless child could have had a happier fate than to find home with you.
Plun. You had no one but mother and me, old chap, don't you see? What else could a fellow do but try to keep you heartened up a little? (Laughs with some embarrassment.)
Lio. And yet even now we do not know who I really am. We shall never know, unless some day my father's ring (lifts his hand) may serve to clear up the mystery at last. (Sings.)
No. 5.
You have watched with sheltering care,
You your all would fain surrender,
With the orphan child to share.
You fulfilled a father's duty,
When he left me to your love,
Ah, he heard my mother calling,
Heard her call from heaven above.
Nor the secret dar'd unseal (touches Lionel's hand),
This his ring one day shall tell it,
All the mystery yet reveal.
On your finger when he placed it,
"This may change his fate," he sighed,
"This my ring the Queen will honor
Should misfortune e'er betide."
My vain longings ne'er shall rove,
Ah, no light on earth allures me,
Save the tender glow of love.
No strange joys I'd earn for yonder,
Peace and sweet content are here,
'Mid the fields are simple pleasures,
Calm affection, tried and dear.
(A bell from the village church gives the signal for the fair to begin. Sheriff enters pompously, the farmers and wives and servants flock after him. He is dressed in wig, hat and robe. He has a staff of office. A girl is pushed against him in the crowd. He waves her back majestically, at arm's length and speaks.)
Sheriff (speaks) Let the rabble stand back. Room for the majesty of the law. Ahem!
Girl (speaks pertly). My, ain't he the big wig, though! (Tweaks at his wig from behind and pulls it partly off. His hat falls off. She picks it up and runs.)
Sheriff. Ouch! (Grabs at wig with one hand and runs after the girl, shaking his staff at her. Another girl gets in his way; they dodge back and forth, till she puts her two hands, one each side of his face and tries to kiss him.)
Girl (speaks). There, there, old gentleman, don't feel so bad over a bit of our fun!
(Sheriff ducks to avoid kiss and leaves wig in her hands. He runs wildly about stage, clutching alternately at his bald head, and at the wig, which the girls toss back and forth, while he tries to snatch it. Finally one of the farmers catches it and restores it to sheriff. He puts it on and some one brings him his hat.)
Farmer (speaks). Young hussies, you must do better than this when you get to working for us. Behave yourselves, now!
Sheriff (much distressed, almost weeping with rage). I bind you all over to keep the peace on penalty of 10 shillings fine. (Pounds with his staff.) Does the majesty of the law mean naught to ye? Silence (they laugh), you low bred populace. But what can one expect from populace? Pah! They are beneath my notice. (Looks scornfully at them while music begins. A girl laughingly sticks out her tongue at him. He glares at her. She does it again. He looks hastily away and then back. She throws him a kiss, and all the rest follow suit. He scowls, but his face gradually softens into a smirk. The farmers drag the girls back into a line. Sheriff unrolls a parchment, that he takes from pocket of his big gown. He sings.)
No. 6.
(Snatches off his hat, farmers do the same.) Bonnets off, and mine likewise.
I no ceremony spare!
We hereby do recognize
Ev'ry contract good and sound
Made in Richmond market bound;
Every lass who here is hired,
Dating from this very day,
Till the year is full expired,
Must with her new master stay.
If he pay the money down
The bargain cannot be undone.
Have you heard?
(Servants stand in line; he arranges them.)
(One maid steps forward a little, bobs a curtsey.)
I can milk and I can mow, sir.
I can bake and mend and make
And garden beds I can weed and rake.
Well, at that she is not dear. (Takes girl one side.)
On old socks new feet can put on,
I can roast and boil and stew,
Can churn and chop and also brew.
'Tis for a song, now!
Here's my hand, done! Come along!
I'm a good one at a tub, sir,
Yes, to every sort of work,
My hand I turn and never shirk.
And Nelly Browne and Sally Towne.
Bless 'em, I do love 'em so, sir,
I can take the cows to graze, sir,
And of poultry know the ways, sir;
I can bake and boil and brew, sir,
I can sew on buttons, too.
Also, horses, cows and sheep, sir,
Pork and beef in brine I steep, sir,
Yes, and do the mowing cheap, sir;
I can dig a garden bed
And make a cabbage grow a head.
Ha, if you pay the cash,
We'll work just like a flash.
Ho, it's very clear,
All settled for a year.
Ho, now the deed is done,
We'll work like fun!
(The servants flock around him as they sing and gather closer and closer till he puts his hands over his ears and tries to get away from them. They crowd around and sing into his face and over his shoulders.)
Sher. (with hands at ears). Stop your cackling! You'll make me deaf!
Farmers. We are ready to choose, but one at a time, please.
(Girls drop back into line; farmers move about among them, Lionel and Plunket also, as if bargaining with them. Enter Lady Harriet, Nancy and Tristan in peasant costume.)
Lady H. Come on, John! Courage man! Nobody's going to hurt you!
Nan. Come, friend John! Don't look so scared. We'll take care of you!
Tris. John? O, im-pos-si-ble! O, pre-pos-ter-ous! I don't like this one bit. It is most unseemly. Yet—where beauty leads, love fain must follow.
Lady H. How gay they all seem! They at least are happy.
Tris. I know I am not! I never felt less jolly before (plaintively) in all my life. (Aside.) I feel as if I were going to cry. (Face works.)
(Plunket and Lionel approach the three and stand at a short distance, gazing at Lady H. and Nancy.)
Plun. Jove! There's a brace of darlings!
Lio. Yes, they are very pretty girls.
Plun. Rather slim built for hard work, though.
Lio. They might do house work?
Plun. Yes, they might serve indoors. I don't know—(pauses)
Tris. See those clodhoppers! How they stare at you. O, do be persuaded to leave this horrid, horrid place.
Lady H. and Nan (together). No, indeed. We like it and we are going to stay.
Tris. I think those fellows are very suspicious looking characters. A pair of rogues. Let's go (urging them by taking their arms).
Lady H. I'm not under your orders, sir. It is my pleasure to stay. I'll do exactly as I choose!
Tris. Well, I wash my hands of all responsibility. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Nan (sees that Plunket and Lionel are watching her). Those lads have an eye for a good thing, though. (To Tristan.) We'll take all the blame. No one shall say that you led us into mischief, poor dear!
Lady H. Yes, cousin, you are exonerated. Whatever happens, be it upon my own rash head. But I will not go! (Emphatically.)
Plun. (overhears last words). You hear, sir? She will not go with you. Don't annoy the girls any further. (To girls.) Call on us if he bothers you. (To Tris., who looks daggers.) But cheer up! There are plenty more maids yonder. Hi, girls (turns to the servants). Here's a chap wants a good maid, and he looks as if he could pay well, too.
Tris. Oh! what a beastly joke! He's taking liberties with me! (He looks scared and affronted.)
(Lady H. and Nancy laugh together over Tristan's plight as the girls come forward and surround him.)
All (chattering). I can mow, I can sew, I can reap, I can sweep, I can bake and make, I can boil and stew, I can churn and brew! (All speak different lines from the part just sung and make a great clatter and confusion. Tristan dodges among them and runs off, the girls following him.)
Lady H. He has taken refuge in flight!
Nan. Let's hope he won't forget us.
Lady H. (nervously). See those men. They are still looking at us.
Nan. They seem to have taken a fancy to us, that's plain.
Plun. (to Lionel). One of them would be just what we want, I think—-the younger one, now. (Nods at Nancy.)
Lionel. It would never do to separate them. See how shy they are.
Lady H. (to Nancy). That one seems quite bashful, doesn't he? I wonder how such peasants talk?
Nan. Bad grammar, for one thing.
Plun. (to Lionel). What are you afraid of? Go speak to them.
Lio. I'm afraid to.
Plun. Silly noodle! Just watch me. (Advances boldly as if to speak to the ladies, stops suddenly and goes back.)
Nan. The big one is dumb, too; aren't they stupid! Let's go.
Lady H. (turns to follow Tristan). I suppose we'd better—
(Hesitates and looks back at the
Plun. We must not let such a chance slip. Servant girls like those are not found every day. I have taken a fancy to that big one and I don't mean to let her get away. Courage, Plunket! (He advances again, again hesitates, and snapping his fingers at himself, advances and speaks.) Wait a moment, girls! We've decided we like you. If you're as smart as you look you can have a good place with us for years.
Lio. Yes, for years and years!
Lady H. You mean as your servants?
Plun. Of course! What else?
Nan. (laughing). Ha! ha! ha! what a joke!
Lio. What is there to laugh at?
Plun. So long as they do their work, the more they laugh, the better.
Lady H. and Nan. Work! We!
Plun. (to Nan.). I'll give you the care of the geese and pigs and chickens. (To Lady H.) You shall have charge of the garden—weed it, and gather potatoes and corn.
Lio. O come! that's too hard for her. Let her do housework—
Plun. And darn our socks and mend our shirts? Very well. We'll pay you fifty crowns a year. For extras there'll be a pint of ale on Sundays and plum pudding on New Years.
Lady H. Who could refuse such a tempting offer? (Laughs.)
Nan. Now I know what I am worth, at last! (Laughs.)
Plun. and Lio. (eagerly). You agree?
Lady H. and Nan. Yes! yes! We agree! (They shake hands.)
Plun. It's a bargain! Here's the money down!
(Lady H. and Nan. each put the money in their purse, laughing together.)