OPERA SEARCH
The Irish Girl
(1918)Text by Percy French and Brendan Stewart (E)
2S,3M,A,T,4Bar,BBar,6speaking roles; chorus
1.1.2.1-2.2.1.0-timp.perc:cyms/SD/tgl/cel/scotch pipes-harp-strings
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
| JACK FREENY, a Highwayman | Baritone |
| CAPTAIN ANSTRUTHER of the Royal Highlanders | Tenor |
| SIR HENRY LEFANU, an impecunious gentleman | Baritone |
| SERGEANT SMITH of the Royal Highlanders | Bass Baritone |
| CORPORAL MCKIMMON of the Royal Highlanders | Baritone |
| RODDY FLYNN, an Irish peasant boy | Baritone |
| TIMOTHY FEGAN, landlord of the O'Hara Arms | Speaking Role |
| MARY FEGAN, his daughter | Mezzo Soprano |
| MISS LETITIA O'DOWD, an elderly lady, aunt to Kathleen | Contralto |
| KATHLEEN O'HARA, an heiress | Soprano |
| MOLLY O'HARA, sister to Kathleen | Soprano |
| DOLLY O'HARA, sister to Kathleen | Mezzo Soprano |
| MAD PEG, in love with Freeny | Mezzo Soprano |
| SIR GEORGE DESMOND, Master of the Hunt | Speaking role |
| HARRY DESMOND, his son | Speaking role |
| WHELAHAN, a peasant | Speaking role |
| CASSIDY, a peasant | Speaking role |
| DEMPSEY, a peasant | Speaking role |
Ireland, in the aftermath of the rebellion of 1798.
A regiment of Scottish Highlanders has arrived in the vicinity of the village of Boneenbeg in pursuit of the highwayman Jack Freeny, who goes about disguised and in the company of Mad Peg, who is in love with him. With the support of the locals he manages to evade capture until Captain Anstruther and his men come upon him gallantly dancing with Kathleen O'Hara, having just held up the coach in which she and her companions were travelling to the Tenants' Ball at Castle Desmond. His pardon – previously arranged by Kathleen, because Freeny had earlier saved her life – meanwhile languishes in the coat pockets of Sir Henry Lefanu, who is determined to marry her himself and is jealous of her interest in the dashing gentleman of the road. Eventually the papers come to light at the Ball itself, enabling Freeny and Peg to seek a new life together overseas, while Kathleen – to Sir Henry's discomfiture – gives her hand to Anstruther.
Comic