Ib and Little Christina

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Ib and Little Christina is an opera styled "A Picture in 3 Parts", based on a, 1855 tale by Hans Christian Andersen of the same name, with a libretto by Basil Hood. It was first produced at Prince of Wales Theatre, opening on 15 May 1900 and running for 60 performances, with music by Arthur Bruhns, and starring Phyllis Dare. There was also a 1900 run on Broadway. It was then produced at the Savoy Theatre on 14 November 1901 and ran together with Hood's The Willow Pattern for 16 performances, with music by Franco Leoni. The libretto was published by Chappell, and a copy is in the British Library at 11778.f.23(4) (1901).

The piece was revived at Daly's Theatre from 11 to 13 January 1904, then transferred to the Lyric Theatre from 19 January to 27 February or 5 March 1904, running for a total of 23 matinee performances. It then played at Terry's Theatre in January 1903 and January 1904, probably with Bruhns's music and at the Adelphi Theatre in September 1908, probably with Bruhns's music.

Although generally considered to be a full length piece in 3 acts, it is actually in 3 very short scenes.

[edit] Synopsis

Ib and his father are very poor and live alone, and Old Henrik and his granddaughter Christina are their neighbors. The two children are in love, and Ib is willing to sacrifice everything for her. An old gypsy woman visits Ib and gives him three wishing nuts.

15 years later, the children are now grown up, and Christina has fallen in love with a richer man. Broken‑hearted but faithful, Ib gives her up.

Seven years later, the marriage brought no happiness to Christina, who died in poverty. The gypsy woman brings Christina's daughter (also called Christina) to Ib, and they live happily together.