Featured in this article are two operas about Lord Byron, regarded the greatest 19th century English poet: Lord Byron by Virgil Thomson and Lord Byron's Love Letter by Raffaello De Banfield.
1. Opera Lord Byron
Lord Byron is a 3-act English historical opera composed by Virgil Thomson (November 25, 1896 – September 30, 1989. Libretto is by Jack Larson. It was premiered in New York City, Juilliard Theater, Lincoln Center, April 20, 1972. Setting is in London, 1812-1824.
Cast of Characters
- Augusta Leigh, Byron's sister (soprano)
- Lady Byron (mezzo soprano)
- Lord Byron (tenor)
- John Murray, Byron's publisher (tenor)
- John Hobhouse, Byron's friend (bass baritone)
- Thomas Moore, Byron's friend (baritone)
- Gray and Thomson, Poets (tenors)
- Spenser and Dryden - Poets (baritones)
- Milton and Johnson - Poets (basses)
- Lady Melbourne (soprano)
- John Ireland – Dean of the Abbey (bass)
Synopsis of Lord Byron
Act I
Inside Westminster Abbey
The people of London, including the poets Gray, Thomson, Spenser, Dryden, Milton and Johnson, mourn the death of Lord Byron. His friends, Hobhouse and Moore, his publisher, Murray, his sister, Augusta Leigh, and Lady Byron agree to look out for the poet's posthumous fame. Byron's last mistress, Countess Guiccioli, has brought a statue of Byron. Hobhouse plans to give it to John Ireland, the dean of Westminster Abbey, in the hope it will help get Byron to be buried in the abbey's poet's corner. Moore tells everyone that Byron left a memoir, that he has given rights to Moore – who received an advance on it from Murray. Murray tells them the memoir would damn Byron's name forever.
Act II
Scene 1. Inside Westminster AbbeyMoore insists they read the memoir, then proceeds to do.
Scene 2. Morning Party at Lady Melbourne's, March 1812
Byron entertains the ladies. He is introduced to Miss Milbank (the future Lady Byron) and they talk.
Scene 3. Burlington House's Victory Ball, July 1814
Byron celebrates the English victory over Napoleon. He flirts with his sister, Augusta. Lady Melbourne advises him to marry Miss Milbank to avert a scandal.
Scene 4. At Lady Melbourne's House and Byron's Club, New Year's Eve 1814
Miss Milbank is set on reforming the poet. He and Miss Milbank are to be married on New Year's Day. Byron goes drinking with his friends.
Act III
Scene 1. Mrs. Leigh's Country House, August 1815
Lady Byron catches Byron embracing his sister, Augusta, but still hopes to reform him. The poet calls his wife a fool but Augusta sides with her. He is bitter about his lame foot. At Lady Byron's prodding, Augusta vows never to see Byron again.
Scene 2. The Westminster Abbey
Moore finishes reading the memoir. He vows to buy back the manuscript and give it to Augusta. Hobhouse lends Moore the money. Over the countess's objections, they burn the memoir. Dean Ireland refuses Byron burial in the abbey. The poets stress that Byron's genius and fame should live on.
2. Opera Lord Byron's Love Letter
Lord Byron's Love Letter is a 1-act lyric drama composed by Raffaello De Banfield (June 2, 1922 – January 7, 2008). Libretto is by Tennessee Williams. It was premiered in New Orleans, Dixon Hall, Tulane University, January 17, 1955. Setting is in late 19th century New Orleans.
Characters
- Old woman (dramatic soprano or mezzo)
- Spinster (soprano)
- Matron (contralto)
- Matron's Husband (tenor)
Synopsis of Lord Byron's Love Letter
Act I
Parlor of a Faded House in the French Quarter of New Orleans
The spinster's piano playing is irritating the old woman. A matron has come to see the old woman's love letter from Lord Bryon, which she displays in a case in the parlor. The letter was actually written by Byron to her grandmother. The matron is in town with her husband for Mardi Gras.
The women tell their guests about the deaths of Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, but the matron's husband is not interested in the grandmother's journal. The spinster reads the grandmother's account of meeting Byron on the Acropolis.
While the old woman is reciting her late grandmother's sonnet to Byron, the Mardi Gras parade passes by. The husband rushes off, ignoring the women's plea for a small donation. The ladies put the letter away.
Source:
Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997.
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