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Colonel Jonathan the Saint
(1958-60)Libretto by John Olon-Scrymgeour (E)
Major roles: lyr/colS,dramS,S,2M,lyrT,hT,Bar,BBar;
minor roles: narrator,3S,2A,T,Bar; chorus
2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2(II=bcl).2-3.2.1.0-timp.perc:tgl/cyms/
susp.cyms/t.bells/glsp/SD/BD/tamb-cel-harp-pft-strings
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
Loretto Heights College, Denver, Colorado
John Olon-Scrymgeour, director
Conductor: Norman Johnson
Company: Denver Lyric Opera
| HENRY, an African American servant | Baritone |
| CLEOPATRA, an African American servant | Soprano |
| ALLEGRA HARPER, aged 60 | Lyric-Soprano |
| 1st Lady* | Soprano |
| 2nd Lady* | Soprano |
| 3rd Lady* | Contralto |
| DAISY, Allegra's niece, aged 18 | Soprano |
| COLONEL JONATHAN GILOURIN of the Union Army, a guest | Tenor |
| MARY CHAIRS, aunt to Cleopatra, aged 80 | Soprano |
| Old Gentleman* | Lyric-Tenor |
| Sabrina, widow of a Confederate soldier; Daisy's sister | Dramatic-Soprano |
| CAPTAIN MULLIKIN, skipper of the packet steamer Bay Belle | Bass-Baritone |
| Plain Girl* | Soprano |
| Pretty Girl* | Contralto |
| A Servant* | Baritone |
| The Confederate Soldier | Tenor |
| Guests, excursionists, dancers, etc. | |
| *these characters are also part of the chorus |
The years following the American Civil War, Maryland, USA
During the American Civil War, Lyonesse, a house in Maryland, was partially burned during a Union raid. After the war, Allegra Harper and her niece Daisy are trying to convert the house into a hotel. Helping them is Colonel Jonathan Gilourin, the leader of the soldiers who set fire to the house during the war. Daisy’s sister Sabrina, the owner of Lyonesse, arrives after searching for three years for news about the death of her Confederate husband. Jonathan looks amazingly like Sabrina’s husband, although Sabrina doesn’t notice. He expresses interest in Sabrina romantically, but she rejects him. Jonathan enlists Daisy’s help, and asks her to describe Sabrina’s husband more fully. Reluctantly, she shares a letter from Sabrina that describes her husband’s last words and farewell. Jonathan utters the words Sabrina’s husband said to her upon his departure. As if in a fantasy state, Sabrina embraces Jonathan. Jonathan and Sabrina marry, but the Colonel is tormented by Sabrina’s inability to let go of her husband’s memory. Alone at night, Sabrina begins to extinguish the lamps in the house. The lights mysteriously come up to reveal her dead husband calling to her. They embrace and pledge everlasting love.
Comic, Dramatic, Romantic