y separately published work icon Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts single work   musical theatre   opera   - Two acts
Issue Details: First known date: 1843... 1843 Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Comic opera.

'The plot commences after the defeat of Charles II at the battle of Worcester, whence the King and Rochester escape under the assumed names of Jacob Tompkins and Peregrine Samson. The first act exhibited their "Merry Freaks" at the seat of Sir Henry Milford in which they are assisted by that indispensable hero of Comic Opera, a mischievous page who becomes instrumental in the King's safe escape to the continent. The second act takes the narrative several years hence, opening with Charles' small court of exiled Royalists in Holland. An under-current of that "course of true love which never does run smooth," flows in sinuous windings through the piece which, in its denouement, terminates at Milord Hall, whither the King and his faithful adherents return previous to the Restoration' (Australian Journal 29 May 1843, p2).

The opera is also said to have humorously portrayed and contrasted the characteristics of the Cavaliers and Puritans of that age.

Notes

  • Although Nagel and Nathan completed Merry Freaks in Troublous Times in 1843 and indicated on a number of occasions that they planned to produce it at the Royal City Theatre (and later at the Royal Victoria Theatre), only extracts were ever performed in public.

    In 1843, the editors of the New South Wales Magazine, or, Journal of General Politics, Literature, Science, and the Arts twice stated that they had seen a copy of Merry Freaks. In the Colonial Literature section the editors record: 'We have been favoured with a copy of an 'Historical Operatic Drama,' in two Acts, entitled Merry Freaks in Troublous Times, written by a gentleman named Nagel. The plot, founded upon the adventures of Charles II., when escaping the Puritans, is well written, some of the scenes being highly humorous. Mr Nathan has composed the music for the songs, and we understand that it will shortly be performed. The type, and appearance of the book, are by no means creditable to the printer' (p.565). No copy of this puiblication has yet been located.

    Isaac Nathan later published the vocal score, set up by himself in moveable type, in Sydney. It was also published that same year, 1851, in London by Cramer, Addison and Beale.

  • This entry has been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.

Production Details

  • The finale to this opera was performed during the first concert of the Australian Harmonic Institution, under the conductorship of Isaac Nathan, at the Royal Hotel, Wednesday, 19 May 1844.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1843
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Isaac Nathan , 1851 .
      Extent: 170p.
      Note/s:
      • Vocal score only. Published by the composer Isaac Nathan
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Addison and Beale Cramer ,
      1851 .
      Note/s:
      • Vocal score only.
      • This edition not traced, listed in Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia 1850-1869 (edited by Veronica Kelly, 1995).

Works about this Work

Merry Freaks in Troublous Times 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The New South Wales Magazine, or, Journal of General Politics, Literature, Science and the Arts , July vol. 1 no. 7 1843; (p. 347-351)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
The New Opera 1843 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekly Register of Politics, Facts, and General Literature , 14 October vol. 1 no. 12 1843; (p. 171)
A brief item about Sydney rehearsals for Nathan Isaac's Merry Freaks in Troublous Times: An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts
Untitled 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekly Register of Politics, Facts, and General Literature , 23 September vol. 1 no. 9 1843; (p. 132-134)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
New Historical Opera 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 29 May 1843; (p. 1273)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
Music and Musicians 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 12 May 1843; (p. 1266)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
Mr Nathan's Opera 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 12 July 1843; (p. 1292)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
Music and Musicians 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 12 May 1843; (p. 1266)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
New Historical Opera 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 29 May 1843; (p. 1273)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
Untitled 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekly Register of Politics, Facts, and General Literature , 23 September vol. 1 no. 9 1843; (p. 132-134)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
Merry Freaks in Troublous Times 1843 single work review
— Appears in: The New South Wales Magazine, or, Journal of General Politics, Literature, Science and the Arts , July vol. 1 no. 7 1843; (p. 347-351)

— Review of Merry Freaks in Troublous Times : An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts Charles Nagel , 1843 single work musical theatre
The New Opera 1843 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekly Register of Politics, Facts, and General Literature , 14 October vol. 1 no. 12 1843; (p. 171)
A brief item about Sydney rehearsals for Nathan Isaac's Merry Freaks in Troublous Times: An Historical Operatic Drama in Two Acts
Last amended 3 Feb 2011 09:09:41
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