 LOVE AT THE INN
Music by Roger Quilter : Lyrics by Rodney Bennett : Libretto by Jeffrey
Lambourne
THE STORY
(The Blue Boar Inn/Longton Hall; 1785)
George Morland is an artist, specialising in portrait
painting, who has an intense dislike of the aristocracy. However, this
does not prevent him from accepting their commissions and it was one
of these occasions that he met and fell in love with Jenny. Although
the affair ended when George's love for her dwindled, Jenny has now
come searching for her former lover at the Inn where Robert falls in
love with her at first sight. George's attentions have been captured
by Anne Ward, on a visit to the Inn with her friend Sophie Longton.
Anne knows of George's work through her brother who is his engraver,
and is anxious to make his acquaintance. However, hearing of his dislike
of the gentry, she pretends to be a farmer's daughter. Her ploy works
but when a message arrives from Sir William Longton commissioning George
to paint the portraits of his family and household in fancy dress,
she is forced to continue with the deception. At first she dresses
up as a dairy maid to further the impression of a farmer's daughter
but once the sketches of the household are over, the time comes for
the main portrait of the evening, and she and Sophie appear clad in
gorgeous array. Unfortunately, instead of being captivated by Anne's
beauty, George is furious at her deceit and refuses to continue with
the painting. Turning his back on Anne, George returns to Jenny. They
are preparing to return to London when James Ward, George's engraver,
unexpectedly arrives. He has been summoned in desperation by Anne and
does not realise that the root of her troubles is his friend. Similarly,
George is unaware that James is Anne's brother. James intercedes with
George on her behalf and succeeds in reconciling the two of them. Jenny,
meanwhile, realising that George does not love her, decides to marry Robert,
and events are brought to a happy conclusion.
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