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Operetta.
Australian-born composer George Clutsam raised his standing within British light opera circles when this collaboration with composer Hubert Bath and librettist Basil Hood premiered in 1916. The story concerns the patriotism and love, of spirit and adventure, of several famous names associated with England during the reign of Elizabeth I. Although a number of Australian newspapers reported on the London premiere in the week that followed, most were based on the brief information cable by their respective London correspondents. The par below, published in the Register (Adelaide) is typical of these reports:
A PATRIOTIC OPERA. LONDON, December 24. Mr. Basil Hood's patriotic three-act light opera, Young England, the music of which was written by Mr. Hubert Bath and Mr. G. Clutsam, has been given an enthusiastic reception at Daly's Theatre. The newspapers pronounce it a great success, and describe the opera as characerized by the breezy spirit of the old English romance. It introduces Admiral Drake and other Elizabethan heroes, also Good Queen Bess herself. The piece includes some stirring airs and dainty love songs. The [London] Referee describes the score as' of high scholarly quality, and says the music is "charmingly tuneful and graceful, the nearest thing to the late Sir Arthur Sullivan we have had for years" ("Patriotic Opera," p.9).
An extensive selection of songs from the opera appeared on gramophone records at the time, with the better known songs being : 'Sweethearts and Wives,' arguably the opera's biggest success ; 'I Love a Man' (Betty) and 'The April of My Heart' (George). The Age critic, writing of the 1928 Melbourne production, says in relation to the music : Extremely bright and skilfully designed, [it] has been composed... [by] two musicians who [know] how to be intelligible without being weak' ("Young England: Pleasing," p.11).
Notes
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The first Australian production of Young England identified to date was the 1928 Melbourne season at the Playhouse. It is possible, however, that the operetta was staged elsewhere (perhaps Sydney) prior to this. The Playhouse Theatre production was also one of the earliest works presented by the newly formed Metropolitan Opera Society, led by George English.
Production Details
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1916 : Daly's Theatre, London (England); 22 December
1928 : Playhouse Theatre, Melbourne ; 29 November - 1 December.
- Director/Producer. George English.
- Company: Metropolitan Opera Society.
- Cast incl. Veronica Cox (Betty Sydenham), Arnold Ashworth (Francis Drake), Evelyn Ringwood (Maid), Elsa Hocking (Maid at the Inn), Marion Daniels (Queen Elizabeth), George Bryer (William Courtenay), Edward Jones (John Oxenham), G. T. Horan (Sir George Sydenham), Frank Armstrong (Beadle), T. Reilly (John Doughty), Jack Stewart (Tom Moon), Frank McDonald (Sam Best), Miriam Redwood (Harry Sydenham).
- First ever production in Melbourne.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Young England : Pleasing Music Well Given
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 30 November no. 25680 1928; (p. 11)
— Review of Young England 1916 single work musical theatreA review of the 1928 Melbourne premiere of Young England (Playhouse; 29 November).
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'Young England'
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 3 December 1928; (p. 15)
— Review of Young England 1916 single work musical theatre -
Light Opera - 'Young England'
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 30 November 1928; (p. 11)
— Review of Young England 1916 single work musical theatre -
A Patriotic Opera
1916
single work
column
— Appears in: The Register , 26 December 1916; (p. 9)A report, via cable from the Register's London correspondent, on the recent premiere of George Clutsam and Basil Hood's opera, Young England.
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Light Opera - 'Young England'
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 30 November 1928; (p. 11)
— Review of Young England 1916 single work musical theatre -
'Young England'
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 3 December 1928; (p. 15)
— Review of Young England 1916 single work musical theatre -
Young England : Pleasing Music Well Given
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 30 November no. 25680 1928; (p. 11)
— Review of Young England 1916 single work musical theatreA review of the 1928 Melbourne premiere of Young England (Playhouse; 29 November).
-
A Patriotic Opera
1916
single work
column
— Appears in: The Register , 26 December 1916; (p. 9)A report, via cable from the Register's London correspondent, on the recent premiere of George Clutsam and Basil Hood's opera, Young England.
PeriodicalNewspaper Details
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cEngland,ccUnited Kingdom (UK),cWestern Europe, Europe,