Opera Scotland

No Song, No Supper

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Music

Stephen Storace (born London, 4 April 1762; died London, 19 March 1796).

Text

Prince Hoare.

Source

Original.

 

Premières

First performance: London (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), 16 April 1790.

First performance in Scotland: to be confirmed.

Scottish Opera première: N/A.

 

Background

No Song, No Supper is the most continuously successful of Storace's works, maintaining a toehold on the repertoire through much of the nineteenth century. It is described as an 'after-piece' in two acts.The composer's sister Nancy created the role of Margaretta, and their friend and colleague Michael Kelly was the first Frederick. It was performed by both theatre companies and operatic specialists. In this respect it had parallels with the continuing success of The Waterman, by Charles Dibdin (1745-1814).

 

Main Characters

Frederick, a sailor (tenor)

Robin, a sailor (baritone)

Louisa (soprano)

Margaretta (soprano)

Nelly, Louisa's stepmother (contralto)

 

Plot Summary

Frederick and Robin are a pair of sailors, in love with Louisa and Margaretta. The couples have been separated as the result of a plot by a lawyer who is trying to relieve Nelly of her money. Frederick has inherited a Cornish estate. The sailors are shipwrecked near the new inheritance, Frederick being saved by Robin. They retrieve some treasure from the wreck, and return to claim their lovers. Margaretta interrupts the lawyer's attempt at seducting Nelly by singing a series of ballads. The men discover the lawyer in hiding and throw him out.