Talk:The Contrabandista

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[edit] Nursery Rigs

Does anyone know what 'nursery rigs' mentioned in 'From Rock to Rock' were? Presumably the same rigs as mentioned in Princess Ida for making silk purses from the ears of Lady Circe's piggy wigs, but I can't find any dictionary definition that explains what they were. -- Tim riley 19:23, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Remember this is a Burnand libretto. Have you seen the dialogue? It all seems well enough when you're listening to it, but the godawful dialogue's the deal-breaker. And you don't want to know what idiotic business is going on during that beautiful "A guard by night" scene. One of the most beautiful things Sullivan wrote, and Burnand has to spoil it with an idiotic plot about Vasquez hiding in a nearby prison while throwing off his shepherd disguise so he can talk with her, then re-dressing to leave. Thank GOD he at least showed a little sense in Chieftain and changed it to him merely revealing himself to her as being in disguise after her heartfelt cry. One wonders what went through Sullivan's minds after he found out what those lyrics were actually being used for on the stage. But, anyway, Burnand was never very precise in his language - I think it's just "rig" as in "a contraption or device for some purpose" - e.g. the contraptions and devices used in a nursery: cradles, perambulators, etc. Not the same as the contraptions to make silk purses out of sow's ears. Adam Cuerden ^talk 19:55, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

I agree. Also, his name is Riggs (sounds the same as rigs), and it is almost a baby-talk song or nursery rhyme about his little Riggs (children), little pigs, sows and cows. -- Ssilvers 04:34, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

It's Griggs, actually. Adam Cuerden ^talk 08:10, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

Oops! Yup. But the point is, it's a bunch of childish rhymes with his name. -- Ssilvers 20:46, 18 December 2006 (UTC)