The Jersey Gilbert and Sullivan Society
Ruddigore or The Witch's Curse
Ruddigore: 2014 Production
Ruddigore: 2006 Production
Ruddigore: 1994 Production
Ruddigore: 1982 Production
Ruddigore: Wiki article
Trouperslightopera Ruddigore link here
The Music of Ruddigore -
Ruddigore contains some of Sullivan's loveliest music. In particular, note the Act I finale madrigal "When the buds are blossoming," and Roderic and Hannah's second act duet, "There grew a little flower." Of course, the powerful music Sullivan wrote for the chorus of ancestors in Act II, along with "When the night wind howls" are well-
While musical parody moments in Ruddigore are fewer than in other shows, where Verdian send-
The famous patter song, "My Eyes are Fully Open" (the matter-
The original overture for Ruddigore was composed by Sullivan's Assistant, Hamilton Clarke, and used themes from the second act finale, "When a man has been a naughty baronet." When Geoffrey Toye revised the Ruddigore score for the 1920 revival, he cut the imaginative second act finale and replaced with with a short reprise of "O Happy the lily" from the first act finale. Then he wrote a new overture based primarily on "When the Night Wind Howls" and "My Eyes Are Fully Open." Many musicians prefer this new finale regardless of what other cuts they may observe or restore.
Richard's Song -
This song has caused any amount of confusion in both audiences and diplomatic circles. It seems to be saying that Richard's ship ran off the cowardly French, and he is bragging about how wonderful the jolly British tars are. In fact, the song actually portrays British stupidity, cowardice and rationalization. Richard's "Revenue sloop," a very small vessel, thought it had an easy mark when it encountered what it thought was a rich merchant ship. But in fact they were unable to tell a French man-
with thanks to Trouperslightopera.org for the above information