Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Poisoned Kiss
Plot Synopsis and Character Description of English Romance Opera
Dec 26, 2008
Ralph Vaughan Williams (October 12, 1872 – August 26, 1958) composed this three-act romance opera, "The Poisoned Kiss." Libretto is by Evelyn Sharp, based on "The Poisoned Maid" by Richard Garnett and "Rapaccini's Daughter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was premiered at Cambridge, Arts Theatre, May 12, 1936. The setting is in Golden Town and its environs in legendary times.
The Poisoned Kiss is Ralph Vaughan William's fourth opera which he began writing in 1927. At the height of his musical creativity, he was also working on Sir John in Love. As he collaborated with his librettist Evelyn Sharp, there were few revisions, but the final version reflects much of Vaughan-Williams lyricism and his heart-felt music.
Notable arias: "Day is dawning" (Angelica), "There was a time" (Tormentilla), "I thought I loved Maria" (Ameryllus).
Cast of Characters
- Prince Amaryllus (tenor)
- Gallanthus, Attendant to Prince Amaryllus (baritone)
- Dipsacus, Professional magician (bass)
- Tormentilla, the Magician's daughter (soprano)
- Angelica, companion-maid to Tormentilla (soprano)
- Hob (tenor), Gob (baritone), Lob (bass), three Comic Assistants of Dipsacus
- First Medium (soprano), Second Medium (mezzo), Third Medium (contralto), three assistants for the empress
- Empress Persicaria, Reigning sovereign in Golden Town (contralto)
- Physician (Speaking role)
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Act I. The Magician's Haunt in the Forest
There's much noise offstage - owls, bats, cats, cuckoos, cocks, etc. Tormentilla cuddles her pet snake. Dipsacus raises a hurricane. There's a shower of golden rain when Angelica rubs the philosopher's stone.
Disguised as a humble shepherd, Prince Amaryllus meets the magician's daughter Tormentilla in the woods and falls in love. The prince's attendant, Gallanthus, loves Tormentilla's maid, Angelica. Tormentilla's father, Dipsacus, is furious and uses his magic to get rid of the men. He explains to Tormentilla that he has raised her on poisons, and because of this her first kiss will be fatal. He means for her to kiss the prince, whose mother (actually, the empress) jilted him twenty years ago. Tormentilla refuses and Dipsacus disowns her.
Act II. Tormentilla's Apartment in Golden Town
The empress is jealous of Tormentilla's beauty and sends her poisoned candies which have no effect. Dipsacus's hobgoblins bring Amaryllus to Tormentilla and they kiss. For the first time, she learns that Amaryllus is the prince. He lies unconscious.
Act III. Boudoir of the Empress Persicaria in her Palace at Golden Town
A huge image of Dipsacus appears. Summoned by Empress Persicaria's magic, Angelica enters through the floor.
The court physicians fear the prince will die if he is not reunited with his Tormentilla. The empress remembers Dipsacus, whom she loved but whom her parents forced her to renounce. She admits she knew the plan of Dipsacus all along, a reason why she raised her son on antidotes to make sure that the poison would have no effect.
She and Dipsacus are reconciled and decide to marry. Tormentilla marries the prince, Angelica marries Gallanthus and Dipsacus's hobgoblins marry the empress's mediums. All's well that ends well. Everyone is happy, a perfect romance.
Source:
Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
