By
William S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan
This Opera is the first successful collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan. After a first effort Thesis which has not survived, this play marked the beginning of the most successful collaboration in English Language comedic opera.
The story is a trial of a breach of promise of marriage brought by Angelina against her fiance Edmund.
The scene opens with the spectators and jury entering the courtroom Singing about the upcoming trial
The Usher admonishes the Jury to try the case fairly while ignoring anything the defendant says. The Defendant then enters pleads his case before the Townspeople and Jury but the Jury is unimpressed
The Judge enters and decides that before he starts the trial he will tell the assembled how he married his way to the top of his profession and then dumped his wife
The bridesmaids and then Angelina enter amid much mooning among the men in court, especially the Judge.
The Counsel then makes his case for the Angelina describing how Edwin has deserted her cruelly after promising marriage.
Edwin replies that it is only natural to desert one woman when another has caught his fancy. He offers to marry Angelina today and then marry his new sweetheart tomorrow.
The Counsel points our that that would be illegal and would constitute burglary.
Finally the Judge loses patience with the proceedings and resolves it by declaring that he will marry Angelina himself.
*2000-01-04*