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Ivanhoe

A Romantic Opera

ADAPTED FROM SIR WALTER SCOTT’S NOVEL

Words by Julian Sturgis

Music by Arthur Sullivan

I carried out this research in 1977 as part of my Bachelor of Music degree at Royal Holloway College, partof the University of London. It is reproduced here "as is"- I have not attempted to incorporate any more recent research or update it. There are sections which are, frankly, embarrassing.

Please remember that in the late 1970s 'Victorian music' was the subject of very little research, so it was necessary to go to original sources and make up my own mind about what I found.

I'm completing this transcription from my handwritten original as and when I have the time.

If you are looking for a complete libretto and MIDI version of the opera please try Paul Howarth's website.

CONTENTS:

English opera before the nineteenth century

Music in the Victorian theatre before Ivanhoe

The construction of the Victorian theatre

Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1901): a brief account of his life and works

Ivanhoe—a Romantic Opera

The plot of Ivanhoe

The history of the libretto

Sir Walter Scott and opera

Julian Russell Sturgis

A brief comparison of the libretto and Scott's novel

Another nineteenth century view of Ivanhoe

Its composition

Dramatic aspects of the music

Songs and arias

Ensembles without chorus

Ensembles with chorus

Nationalistic features

On stage in London at the same time as Ivanhoe

Early schemes for a National Opera House

The Royal English Opera House

History

Construction

The original production

Principals

Chorus

Orchestra

Conductors

Scenery and Costume design

Publicity

Advance publicity

Reviews

First performance

© Chris Goddard, 31 May, 2006