The Maid of Artois is an opera by Michael William Balfe, written in 1836 to a libretto by Alfred Bunn, manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in London, who based his work on Eugène Scribe's stage version of Abbé Prévost's novel Manon Lescaut.
Overview The opera opened on 27 May 1836, starring Maria Malibran as the title character, Isoline. The story concerns a girl in love, who is poached by a rich Marquis. The lovers seem destined to end their days in the wastes of the desert, until an unexpected rescue comes. The opera received good notices, and the overture was much admired.
Balfe's music shows the influence of his earlier training in Italy, especially of Bellini and Donizetti, as well as the French works that Balfe had sung (as a baritone) at the Paris Opéra, where he and Malibran had appeared together. Balfe wrote The Maid of Artois partly as a vehicle for her. Malibran was a mezzo-soprano with a three octave range. She had died in September 1836 before the score was printed, and so Balfe decided to set brighter, higher versions of the coloratura and other music in her role that are more typical of operatic treatments of a youthful character such as Isoline.
Roles Isoline contralto Jules tenor Marquis baritone Synnelet bass Coralie Sans Regret Martin Centinnel Count Saulnier
Musical numbers Act 1 The grounds of a Parisian Chateau 1 Men – Drink, boys 2 Marquis – Recit. The Rosy hours 2a Marquis, Sans R, Chorus – Cavatina Then silly is the heart 3 Andante 4 Jules – Recit. Oh, if at times 4a Jules – Cavatina My soul, in one unbroken 5 Sans R & Jules – Here, take the contents 6 Coralie, Jules, Sans R, Men – Then thus oppress’d 7 Women – The sigh from her heart 8 Isoline – Recit. My thoughts which forth Isoline – The heart that once hath Isoline, Women – Oh could I but that peace 9 Isoline, Marquis – Oh! leave me not 9a Isoline, Marquis – Oh, why should I weep 10 Isoline – Yon moon o’er the mountains 11 Jules, Isoline, – Finale: What sounds are those I hear 11a Isoline, Jules, Marquis – Finale: Trio My bosom with hope 12 Marquis, Isoline, Jules – Finale: Ensemble Deceitful woman Sans Regret, Chorus, Count
Act 2 A fort in British Guiana 13 Men, Women and slaves – Here’s to the Soldier Lover 14 Synnelet, Chorus – Was there ever known 15 Ballet 16 Isoline – Oh! what a charm it is 17 Isoline, Jules, Nin, Syn, Chor Quartet & Ch – From shore to shore 18 Indian Dance 19 Isoline & Jules – And do these arms 19a Jules, Isoline – I have strength to bear 19b Martin, Isol, Jules, Nin, Syn Ensemble – Five minutes are expired 20 Chorus, Syn, Cent, Martin – Finale These joyous sounds upon the ear 21 Marquis – Recit. I gaze upon the stranger land 21a Marquis – The light of the other days is faded 22 Chorus, Marquis, Synnelet – Finale Hail to the Chief
Act 3 In the Desert 23 Isoline – Recit. The sounds which have pursued 23a Isoline – Oh, beautiful night 24 Isoline, Jules – There’s blood upon his arm 25 March 26 Isoline, Chorus – Finale: The rapture swelling though my breast
References (pp. 32–34)
External links Description of the opera and of the 2005 recording by Victorian Opera Northwest, with links to a list of numbers and cast