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The Sorcerer
The Sorcerer, first performed in
1877, is no longer in the forefront of popularity
amongst the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, although
it is a highly accomplished piece both musically
and dramatically. It is the oldest surviving "full"
(two act) opera of the collaborative repertoire - it
was preceded only by Thespis, the music for which
has mostly been
lost, and by Trial by
Jury, a one-act work with
no spoken dialogue, which was conceived as
a "curtain-raiser" for longer works.
The scene is the village of Ploverleigh,
where Sir Marmaduke
Pointdextre's heir Alexis is to be married
to Aline, the only child of the Lady
Sangazure. Alexis, however, has his own agenda: believing that men and women
should marry without distinctions of rank, he
has engaged John Wellington Wells, a sorcerer, to administer secretly a love-philtre
to the entire population of the village, which causes them to fall madly in love with the first person of the opposite sex they
encounter after waking (it has no effect on those already married).
The major characters - including Aline - all
form alliances with the most inappropriate people.
In order to revoke the spell, either Alexis
or Mr Wells must sacrifice himself to Ahrimanes:
by popular vote, Mr Wells is consigned to this
fate. The end finds all the major characters
reunited with more appropriate objects of their
respective affections.
In Act One, there is a scene where Alexis
and Aline, in the company of their respective
parents, meet to sign the marriage contract.
In the song set out below, the Notary presents
the contract for execution, and the parties
perform the ritual which the law then required
to make it efficacious as a deed - signing,
sealing and delivering.
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All is prepared
for sealing and for signing.
Notary:
All is prepared for sealing and for signing,
The contract has been drafted as agreed;
Approach the table, oh, ye lovers pining,
With hand and seal come execute the deed!
Chorus:
See they sign, without a quiver, it--
Then to seal proceed.
They deliver it--they deliver it
As their Act and Deed!
Alexis:
I deliver it--I deliver it
As my Act and Deed!
Aline:
I deliver it--I deliver it.
As my Act and Deed!
Chorus:
With heart and with voice
Let us welcome this mating;
Leave them here to rejoice,
With true love palpitating,
Alexis the brave,
And the lovely Aline!
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