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Music Text

Libretto by Antoine Alexandre Poinsinet after the novel by Henry Fielding, translated by Adrian Salter (E)

Scoring

2S,M,2T,Bar,BBar,speaker,3T(=chorus)
0.2.0.1-2.0.0.0-strings-continuo

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes

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

Availability

World Premiere
27/02/1765
Théâtre de l'Hotel de Bourgogne, Paris
Company: Comedie-Italienne

World premiere of version
27/10/1971
ADC Theatre, Cambridge
Nicholas Reynold, director
Conductor: Nicholas McGegan
Company: Cambridge University Opera Society

Roles

SOPHIA, daughter to Mr Western Soprano
MRS HONOUR, companion to Sophia Soprano
MRS WESTERN, sister to Mr Western Mezzo Soprano
MR WESTERN, a country squire Bass Baritone
TOM JONES, Mr Allworthy's Ward Tenor
BLIFIL, nephew and heir to Mr Allworthy Tenor
ALLWORTHY, a wealthy neighbour Baritone
DOWLING, a Quaker resident in Allworthy's household Spoken role
Huntsmen and Drunkards male chorus or 4 soloists (2 Tenors and 2 Basses)
Time and Place

Mr Western's country house

Synopsis

Squire Western's daughter Sophia is secretly in love with Tom Jones, the foundling brought up by the Westerns’ neighbour, Mr Allworthy. Her companion, Mrs Honour, guesses her attachment, and repeats to Sophia the avowals of love she has heard Tom himself make with regard to Sophia. But Sophia’s aunt Mrs Western has misread the situation, and believes Blifil, Allworthy’s nephew and heir, to be the object of Sophia’s affection. For this reason, she tells her brother that Sophia is in love with Blifil. Somewhat surprised – since Blifil is a poor huntsman, certainly when compared to Tom Jones – Western quickly grasps the financial advantage of the situation and has Allworthy summoned to make the necessary arrangements. When Mrs Western informs Sophie of the matter, however, the latter is horrified but her pleas are in vain. Blifil is her appointed betrothed, and Tom is banished from the Allworthy house.

Together with Mrs Honour, Sophia flees, taking shelter for the night at a nearby inn, where they are rescued from some drunken oafs by Tom, who has also lodged there. So too has Dowling, a Quaker member of the Allworthy household, who knows (as does Blifil) that Tom is in reality the latter’s elder half-brother, and therefore rightful heir to the Allworthy fortune. The arrival of Western and his neighbour brings about a happy dénouement for all but Blifil: Dowling reveals Tom’s parentage, and he is welcomed back into the Allworthy fold and granted his dearest wish – the hand of Sophia in marriage.

Moods

Comic, Romantic

Subjects
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