''Fair Rosamond'' is an English historical

opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

in four acts composed by

John Barnett John Barnett (15 July 1802 – 16 April 1890) was an English composer and writer on music. Life Barnett was the eldest son of a Prussian Jew named Bernhard Beer, who changed his surname on settling in England as a jeweller. According to some h ...

, written in 1837 to a

libretto A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to th ...

by Charles Zachary Barnett, after the legend of

Rosamund Clifford Rosamund Clifford (possibly before 1140 1176), often called "The Fair Rosamund" or "Rose of the World" (Latin: ''rosa mundi''), was a Middle Ages, medieval English noblewoman and Royal mistress, mistress of Henry II of England, Henry II, King o ...

("Fair Rosamond" or the "Rose of the World"), the 12th century mistress of King

Henry II Henry II may refer to: Kings * Saint Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor (972–1024), crowned King of Germany in 1002, of Italy in 1004 and Emperor in 1014 *Henry II of England (1133–89), reigned from 1154 *Henry II of Jerusalem and Cyprus (1271–1 ...

who was said to have been poisoned by the King's wife,

Queen Eleanor Eleanor () is a feminine given name, originally from an Old French adaptation of the Old Provençal name ''Aliénor''. It was the name of a number of women of royalty and nobility in western Europe during the High Middle Ages">Provençal dialect ...

. In his opera, Barnett effects a happier ending. The

premiere A premiere, also spelled première, (from , ) is the debut (first public presentation) of a work, i.e. play, film, dance, musical composition, or even a performer in that work. History Raymond F. Betts attributes the introduction of the ...

was February 28, 1837 at the Drury Lane Theater,

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

. It ran for 50 performances. Critics were generally appreciative of the composition and Barnett's attempts to build an English grand opera, but complained of slow pacing in the libretto.

Synopsis

The scene is England, 1154-5. Act I opens in the home of Lord Clifford, who is with his daughter Rosamond, and her fiance Aubrey de Vere. They are paid a visit by a troubadour named Edgar, who is actually King Henry II in disguise. Lord Clifford is wary, de Vere is jealous, and Rosamond is entranced. Everyone dances. Rosamond runs off with Edgar. As Act II opens, Queen Eleanor is singing a song of farewell to her native France ("The lily no longer my brow must bind"). Rosamond has fled with Henry to a woodsman's hut, where her father, de Vere, and others catch up with them. Everyone fights. At that moment, Queen Eleanor arrives with her guard. As she tries to calm the dispute, she questions Edgar, but does not recognize him as King Henry. "Edgar" suggests that the disputing parties submit their appeals to King Henry at a later date. Eleanor agrees. Act III opens with a song of longing by de Vere, while all the parties gather for the coronation in Westminster. When Rosamond is introduced to the King, she recognizes him, and Eleanor suddenly realizes Henry is Edgar. Rosamond sings "Wild My Brain to Phrenzy Driven", and all parties take turns singing "Sounds of Discord Fill the Air". Act IV takes place in Rosamond's Bower, which is not like the maze of legend, but is represented as a garden pavilion here. Rosamond and Henry take turns singing ballads of longing, there is an interlude for a ballet, and a five-part Madgrigal is sung ("Merrily Wake Music's Measure"). Henry has to leave for royal responsibilities, after which de Clifford, de Vere, and others arrive to beg Rosamond to leave before the Queen can harm her. The all leave to catch Henry to ask him to return to protect Rosamond. When they are gone, Queen Eleanor arrives and offers Rosamond a choice - death by dagger or death by poison. Rosamond begs for her life, and stalls, until suddenly the King appears. He has sharp words with Eleanor until Rosamond begs him to forgive the queen. "Her pardon, sire, let me implore - and then farewell, we meet no more". Henry agrees.

Roles

* King

, disguised as Edgar, a Troubador * Walter, Lord de Clifford *

Eleanor of Aquitaine Eleanor of Aquitaine ( or ; ; , or ; – 1 April 1204) was Duchess of Aquitaine from 1137 to 1204, Queen of France from 1137 to 1152 as the wife of King Louis VII, and Queen of England from 1154 to 1189 as the wife of King Henry II. As ...

, Queen of England * Rosamond, daughter of Lord de Clifford * Sir Aubrey de Vere, betrothed to Rosamond

Performances

There are no current records of modern performances at Operabase.com.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Libretto, Fair Rosamond

Score, "Merrily Make Music's Measure", a Madrigal in Five Parts, by John Barnett
1837 operas Fiction set in the 1150s Operas set in the 12th century English-language operas Operas Operas by John Barnett Operas set in England Cultural depictions of Henry II of England Cultural depictions of Eleanor of Aquitaine