was continually interrupted by revolutions in his own country and in France.
He had already written a number of unimportant pieces before he undertook "Martha." This opera was made under particularly interesting circumstances, being originally the work of three composers. The Marquis Saint-Georges – the librettist of the day – asked Flotow to undertake the music of one act only, as the other two had already been assigned to two different composers. This proved to be on account of a contract made by the manager of the Grand Opéra with the French Government to produce a new ballet in three acts every year – and the Marquis had tried to evade the contract on the ground that it would bankrupt him. The manager's Première heard of this appeal, and she in her turn went to headquarters, asking that the manager be compelled to put on the piece as agreed. The next day he received an offer of 100,000 francs to mount the new ballet if he would put the dancer, Mlle. Dumilatre, into the leading part, and do it in an incredibly short time. This was how three composers brought into being the piece that one day was to become the "Martha" with which we are now familiar. After Flotow had written "Stradella" he was asked to write an opera for the court, and remembering the peculiarly carpentered piece, "Martha," he went to Saint-Georges's ballet for his court-opera theme. When finished it was "Martha."
The librettist for "Martha" and another Flotow piece was Reise, but he wrote under the name of W. Friedrich. Balfe used the story for an opera which he called "The Maid of Honour." The opera was about ten years in gaining popularity outside of Germany. It was perhaps somewhat longer than that in reaching Paris and London. It was known in New York, having been presented at Niblo's Garden, before it was known in Paris or London, and Madame Anna Bishop sang it. The great singers who have appeared in the cast are Anna Bishop, Mario, Lehman, Nilsson, Patti, Brignoli, and others.
Flotow's best claim to distinction lies in this opera of "Martha." He was not a special favourite nor a genius, but in "Martha" he turned out a number of fascinating tunes of a humable sort. One of them has been adapted to sacred words, and is much used in churches, but for the most part "Martha" is made of a series of jiggy choruses. Berlioz, who especially hated Flotow, declared that the "introduction of the Irish melody ('Last Rose of Summer') served to disinfect the rottenness of the Martha music."
Flotow was born April 27, 1812. Died January 24, 1883.
MARTHA
Sheriff of Richmond, three servants of Lady Harriet, three maid servants.
Chorus of ladies, servants, farmers, hunters and huntresses, pages, etc.
The story is enacted in England during Queen Anne's reign.
First sung at Vienna Court Opera, November 25, 1847.
Composer: Friedrich Freiherr von Flotow.
Author: W. Friedrich (F.W. Riese).
One morning during fair time in Richmond the Lady Harriet, maid of honour to her Majesty Queen Anne, was sitting in her boudoir at her toilet table. She and all her maids and women friends who were attending at her toilet were bored to death.
"Did any one ever know such a stupid, dismal life as we are leading?" they declared. "In heaven's name, why doesn't some one think of something to do that will vary the monotony of this routine existence? We rise in the morning, make a toilet, go to her Majesty, make a toilet, breakfast, read to her Majesty, make a toilet, dine, walk with her Majesty, sup, unmake a toilet and go to bed! Of all the awful existences I really believe ours has become the most so."
"It is as you say, but we cannot improve matters by groaning about it. Lady Harriet, Sir Tristram has sent you some flowers," Nancy, Lady Harriet's favourite, cried, handing them to her ladyship.
"Well, do you call that something new? because I don't! Why doesn't the cook send me some flowers – or maybe the hostler – somebody, something new? Take them out of my sight – and Sir Tristram with them, in case he appears."
"Look at these diamonds: they sparkle like morning showers on the flowers. The sight of them is enough to please any one!"
"It is not enough to please me," Lady Harriet declared petulantly, determined to be pleased with nothing.
"Who is that? There is some one who wishes an audience with me! I'll see no one."
"Ah," a man's voice announced from the curtains, "but I have come to tell you of something new, Lady Harriet!"
"You? Sir Tristram? Is there anything new under the sun? If you really have something to suggest that is worth hearing, you may come in."
"Listen, ladies! and tell me if I haven't conceived a clever thought. The fair is on at Richmond – "
"Well – it is always on, isn't it?"
"Oh, no, ladies. Only once a year – this is the time. There is a fair and there are cock-fights – "
"Ah – that sounds rather thrilling."
"And donkeys – "
"Oh, there are always donkeys – always!" the ladies cried, looking hopelessly at poor Sir Tristram.
"I mean real donkeys," the poor man explained patiently.
"So do we mean real donkeys," they sighed.
"And there are the races – and – well, if you will come I am certain there are several new attractions. Let me take you, Lady Harriet, and I promise to make you forget your ennui for once. Cock-fights and – "
"Donkeys," she sighed, rising. "Very well, one might as well die of donkeys and cock-fights as of nothing at all. It is too hot, open the window – "
"I fly."
"Oh, heavens! now it is too cold – shut it – "
"I fly," the unhappy Sir Tristram replied.
"Give me my fan – "
"I fly." He flies.
"O lord, I don't want it – "
"I fl – oh!" he sighed and sank into a chair, exhausted.
[Listen]
Come away,
Maidens gay,
To the fair
All repair,
Let us go,
Let us show
Willing hearts,
Fair deserts!
"What is that?" Harriet asked impatiently, as she heard this gay chorus sung just outside her windows.
"A gay measure: the girls and lads going to the fair," Nancy replied.
"Servant girls and stable boys – bah!"
"Yes – shocking! Who would give them a thought?" Sir Tristram rashly remarked.
"Why, I don't know! after all, they sound very gay indeed. You haven't very good taste, Sir Tristram, I declare." And at this the poor old fop should have seen that she would contradict anything that he said.
