 RUDDIGORE
or The Witch's Curse
Music by Arthur Sullivan: Lyrics and Libretto by W.S. Gilbert
Savoy Theatre, London - 22 January, 1887
Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York - 21 February, 1887
THE STORY
(The village of Rederring
in Cornwall; early in the 19th century)
To avoid inheriting the family curse, whereby the
baronet of Ruddigore has to commit a daily crime or else die an agonising
death, Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd has fled the ancestral home and, disguised
as Robin Oakapple, settled in Rederring. Here he has fallen in love
with Rose Maybud but, being too shy to develop the relationship himself,
he calls upon Richard Dauntless to court Rose for him. Overcome by
Rose's beauty, Richard sets about capturing her for himself and nearly
succeeds in doing so until Robin finally declares his love for her
and wins her back. However, when it is revealed that Robin is none
other than the true baronet of Ruddigore, and as such the rightful
inheritor of the curse, Robin finds that wickedness does not come naturally
to him. Sir Roderic, Robin's immediate predecessor who died for refusing
to commit the daily crime, suggests that he mend his ways by carrying
off a lady from the village. Robin's initial reluctance is quickly
overcome when the ghosts give him a taste of the torments to come if
he refuses, and Dame Hannah is duly abducted. She is furious at her
treatment and becomes so violent towards Robin that he has to call
upon Sir Roderic for protection. Answering his call for help Sir Roderic
is amazed to come face to face with the woman to whom he had once been
engaged. In a flash of inspiration, an idea occurs to Robin; a baronet
of Ruddigore who refuses to commit the daily crime must die and, therefore,
to make such a refusal is tantamount to suicide; this is a crime in
itself. Consequently, Sir Roderic should never have died and the curse
should not have been handed on. Sir Roderic is now free to marry Dame
Hannah and Robin can reclaim Rose.
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PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
(plus Chorus)
Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd (disguised as Robin Oakapple, A
Young Farmer)
Richard Dauntless (his Foster-Brother - a Man-O'War's-Man)
Sir Roderic Murgatroyd (the Twenty-First Baronet)
Sir Despard Murgatroyd (of Ruddigore - a Wicked Baronet)
Old Adam Goodheart (Robin's Faithful Servant)
Rose Maybud (a Village Maiden)
Dame Hannah (Rose's Aunt)
Mad Margaret
Dame Hannah, Rose's Aunt
Zorah, Ruth, Bridesmaids
Sir Rupert, Sir Jasper, Sir Lionel, Sir Conrad, Sir Desmond,
Sir Gilbert, Sir Mervyn, Sir Roderic, former Lords of Ruddigore
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INSTRUMENTATION
(Total number of books
= 21)
3 Violins I, 3 Violins II, 2 Violas, 2 Cellos, 1 Double Bass, 1 Flute,
1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Horn, 1 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Timpani, 1 Percussion,
1 Piano (optional - annotated vocal score), 1 Full score
Discography:
New Sadlers Wells Opera with Marilyn Hill Smith - TER CDTER2 1128
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