The Canterbury Pilgrims is an opera by the American composer Reginald De Koven. It premiered at the Metropolitan Opera House on March 8, 1917 just as the United States was on the verge of declaring war on Germany. The unfolding world events caused its cancellation after just five performances. The libretto, written by Percy MacKaye, is loosely based on Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.
Roles
RoleVoice typePremiere cast,8 March 1917List of singers taken from Gustav Kobbé: The Complete Opera Book (1919 ed.), p. 843.(Conductor: Artur Bodanzky)ChaucerbaritoneJohannes SembachAlisoun, The Wife of BathcontraltoMargarethe Arndt-OberThe PrioresssopranoEdith MasonThe SquiretenorPaul AlthouseKing Richard IItenorAlbert ReissJohannasopranoMarie SundeliusThe FriartenorMax BlochThe KnightbaritoneRobert LeonhardtJoannestenorPietro AudisioMan of LawbaritoneRobert LeonhardtThe MillerbassBasil RuysdaelThe HostbassGiulio RossiThe HeraldbassRiccardo TeganiTwo GirlsMarie Tiffany, Minnie EgenerThe PardonertenorJulius BayerThe SummonerbaritoneCarl SchlegelThe ShipmanbaritoneMario LaurentiThe CookbassPompilio Malatesta
Synopsis
Place: England. Time: April, 1387.The synopsis is taken from Leo Melitz, The Opera Goer's Complete Guide, 1921 version.
The story has to do with the merry schemes of the Wife of Bath, who has fallen in love with Chaucer who in his turn loves the Prioress, and of her winning of a bet to gain possession of a certain brooch which carries with it Chaucer's promise of marriage. He is finally rescued by Richard II who decides that the Wife may marry a sixth time only on condition that she marry a miller. A devoted miller joyfully accepts the opportunity and the Prioress and Chaucer are reconciled.
Notes
References
The Opera Goer's Complete Guide by Leo Melitz, 1921 version. The Complete Opera Book by Gustav Kobbé, 1919 version.
External links
Libretto Vocal Score