The opera opened on 27 May 1836, starring
Maria Malibran as the title character, Isoline. The story concerns a girl in love, who is poached by a rich Marquis. The lovers seem destined to end their days in the wastes of the desert, until an unexpected rescue comes. The opera received good notices, and the overture was much admired.
Balfe's music shows the influence of his earlier training in Italy, especially of
Bellini and
Donizetti, as well as the French works that Balfe had sung (as a
baritone) at the
Paris Opéra, where he and Malibran had appeared together. Balfe wrote The Maid of Artois partly as a vehicle for her. Malibran was a
mezzo-soprano with a three octave range. She had died in September 1836 before the score was printed, and so Balfe decided to set brighter, higher versions of the coloratura and other music in her role that are more typical of operatic treatments of a youthful character such as Isoline.
13 Men, Women and slaves – Here’s to the Soldier Lover
14 Synnelet, Chorus – Was there ever known
15 Ballet
16 Isoline – Oh! what a charm it is
17 Isoline, Jules, Nin, Syn, Chor Quartet & Ch – From shore to shore
18 Indian Dance
19 Isoline & Jules – And do these arms
19a Jules, Isoline – I have strength to bear
19b Martin, Isol, Jules, Nin, Syn Ensemble – Five minutes are expired
20 Chorus, Syn, Cent, Martin – Finale These joyous sounds upon the ear
21 Marquis – Recit. I gaze upon the stranger land
21a Marquis – The light of the other days is faded
22 Chorus, Marquis, Synnelet – Finale Hail to the Chief
Act 3
In the Desert
23 Isoline – Recit. The sounds which have pursued
23a Isoline – Oh, beautiful night
24 Isoline, Jules – There’s blood upon his arm
25 March
26 Isoline, Chorus – Finale: The rapture swelling though my breast
References
Walker, Raymond, J. "Reviving Michael Balfe's The Maid of Artois". The Gaiety (Autumn 2005).{{
cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link) (pp. 32–34)