Mansfield Park (opera)

Mansfield Park is a 2011 chamber opera in two acts by Jonathan Dove with a libretto by Alasdair Middleton based on the novel by Jane Austen. It tells the story of poor relation Fanny Price, sent at age 10 to live with her uncle, Sir Thomas Bertram, at his family estate, Mansfield Park.^[1]

The opera was commissioned by Heritage Opera, and the world premiere performance was at Boughton House in Northamptonshire on July 30, 2011. The opera is scored for four handed piano (two pianists playing one piano) and was accompanied by Paul Greenhalgh and Jonathan Ellis, under the musical direction of Chris Gill. The world premiere tour comprised mainly heritage venues in the northwest of England, and one performance at the Arcola Theatre in Dalston, East London, as part of the Grimeborn Festival.^[1] Royal Academy Opera gave two performances of the opera in May 2012,^[2] and Hampstead Garden Opera gave ten performances in a new production directed by Bruno Ravella in April 2013.

Roles and premiere cast

• Fanny Price (soprano) – Serenna Wagner
• Lady Bertram (contralto) – Nuala Willis
• Sir Thomas (baritone) – John Rawnsley
• Edmund Bertram (baritone) – Thomas Eaglen
• Maria Bertram (soprano) – Eloise Routledge
• Julia Bertram (mezzo-soprano) – Paloma Bruce
• Aunt Norris (soprano) – Birgit Rohowska
• Mary Crawford (soprano) – Sarah Helsby Hughes
• Henry Crawford (tenor) – Nicholas Sales
• Mr Rushworth (tenor) – Darren Clarke

List of scenes

Act One

• Scene 1: Chapter One: The Bertrams Observed
  In which we meet the inhabitants of Mansfield Park.
• Scene 2: Chapter Two: First Impressions
  In which we discover that Miss Mary Crawford has twenty thousand pounds and that Mr Henry Crawford is not handsome.
• Scene 3: Chapter Three: Sir Thomas Bertram's Farewell
  In which Sir Thomas Bertram leaves for Antigua.
• Scene 4: Chapter Four: Landscape Gardening
  In which Mr Rushworth proposes a trip to Sotherton, his estate.
• Scene 5: Chapter Five: In the Wilderness
  In which the estate is explored.
• Scene 6: Chapter Six: Music and Astronomy
  In which songs are sung and stars observed.
• Scene 7: Chapter Seven: Lovers' Vows
  In which Amateur Theatricals are undertaken.
• Scene 8: Chapter Eight: Persuasion
  In which Edmund's resolution is tested.
• Scene 9: Chapter Nine: The Rehearsal Interrupted
  In which Sir Thomas returns.
• Scene 10: Chapter Ten: Independence and Splendour, or, Twelve Thousand a Year
  In which happiness is defined.
• Scene 11: Chapter Eleven: A View of a Wedding
  In which a wedding is celebrated, a honeymoon begun, a revelation made and plot hatched.

Act Two

• Scene 1: Chapter One: Preparations for a Ball
  In which Miss Fanny Price accepts a present from Miss Mary Crawford.
• Scene 2: Chapter Two: A Ball
  In which partners are chosen.
• Scene 3: Chapter Three: A Proposal
  In which the Bertram family are variously surprised, delighted, disappointed, confused and outraged.
• Scene 4: Chapter Four: Some Correspondence
  In which much ink is spilt.
• Scene 5: Chapter Five: Follies and Grottoes
  In which the Rushworths meet an old acquaintance.
• Scene 6: Chapter Six: A Newspaper Paragraph
  In which occurs a matrimonial fracas.
• Scene 7: Chapter The Last
  In which Mr Edmund Bertram declares his feelings to his future bride.

Notes

References

• Reinventing Opera, ITV London feature, 15 August 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
• Mansfield Park feature on Heritage Opera's website Retrieved 19 August 2011.

v t e Jane Austen's Mansfield Park Characters Fanny Price Edmund Bertram Mary Crawford Henry Crawford Tom Bertram Maria Bertram Films Mansfield Park (1999) Mansfield Park (2007) Miniseries Mansfield Park (1983) Opera Mansfield Park (2011) See also Jane Austen in popular culture Jane Austen Portal