Derby Day (light opera)

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Derby Day is a three-act light opera, with music composed by Alfred Reynolds to a libretto by A. P. Herbert. Herbert wrote his text between March and May 1931, whilst on a trip to Australia, during the first run of his successful Tantivy Towers. The work was staged at the Lyric, Hammersmith.[1] The BBC broadcast an abridged version of the work in 1934.[2]

One contemporary review described the work as "mainly a Cockney opera", and praised the work as "topical in the best sense" and said of the music:[1]

"I do not know if Mr. Reynolds is himself a Cockney, but I do know that his Cockney music, particularly in the coster scenes, is the best that has ever been written."[1]

In particular, the song for the tipster, "'Oo wants a winner for the big race tomorrer?", has been singled out for particular praise as a musical expression of the Cockney.[3]

[edit] Roles

  • Mr Bitter, a publican
  • Mrs Bones
  • Sir Horace Waters
  • Lady Waters
  • Bert Bones, a tipster

[edit] Synopsis

The story is set in the present day (the early 1930s), and centres around a day at the Epsom Derby, the major horse-racing event of the year. In Act III, Mr Bitter proposes to Mrs Bones.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Dunhill, Thomas F., "The Music of Derby Day" (1 May 1932). The Musical Times, 73 (1071): pp. 415-416.
  2. ^ "Audax" (pseudonym), "Wireless Notes" (July 1934). The Musical Times, 75 (1097): pp. 613-615.
  3. ^ Lubbock, Mark, "The Music of 'Musicals'" (September 1957). The Musical Times, 98 (1375): pp. 483-485.
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