Davis, Allan G

The Sailing of the Nancy Belle (1948)

Duration: 25 minutes
Nautical chamber opera in one act

Libretto by the composer (E)

Scoring
S,T,B fl-perc(1):timp/SD/tgl/susp.cym/cyms-pft(=cel)-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
8/1/1948
Syracuse, New York
Company: Syracuse University

Roles

THE CAPTAIN	Baritone
MARY ANN, the Captain's daughter	Soprano
WILLIE, a sailor, Mary Ann's fiancée	Tenor

Time and Place
Late 1800s, New England

Synopsis
At the turn of the 20th century in New England, Mary Ann decides to enlist the help of her father to trick Willie, a sailor on the Nancy Belle, into marrying her. Willie, up to this time, has divided his love between Mary Ann and the sea. Willie sails into port at the beginning of the story, and Mary Ann and her father put their plan into effect.  However, the plot backfires, due to the ship Captain’s taste for rum.

Moods
Comic, Romantic

Subjects
Relationships