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Arsinoe (1705) - Thomas Clayton
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Background
Thomas Clayton’s first opera, Arsinoe, Queen of Cyprus, premiered at Drury Lane in London on 16 January 1705. The opera initially enjoyed success, but two years later, Clayton’s second opera was not well-received. Part of Arsinoe’s popularity may have been due to Catherine Tofts' portrayal of the title character; Toft would later become a star of the English stage.
Arsinoe is distinct from earlier English opera in its use of recitative rather than spoken dialogue. The Italian style is markedly present in the work, inspired by Clayton’s studies in Italy. Some even suspected that Clayton had relied on existing arias to flesh out his opera, but Charles Burney believed the music was “too mean in melody and incorrect in counterpoint” to have been written by an Italian.
Due to the brevity of the opera, it was often staged alongside part of a play after its initial run. The mixing of sung and spoken dramas was common in England, and many operas, such as Thomas Arne’s Thomas and Sally, were considered “afterpieces,” in reference to their position following plays.
Plot
Dorisbe, a princess, has arranged for the murder of Queen Arsinoe of Cyprus, in retaliation for the death of the princess’s father. However, Ormondo saves Arsinoe, and the two subsequently fall in love. Although Dorisbe is also enamored with Ormondo, she is instead the object of Feraspe’s (the captain of Arsinoe’s militia) affection.
A second attempt on Arsinoe’s life is made, but she survives, only to learn that Ormondo, who ends up in prison, is descended from royal lineage. Dorisbe, who tries to kill herself, is later forgiven, and she is united with Feraspe. The opera concludes with Arsinoe and Ormondo preparing to marry.
Bibliography
Title from title page: SONGS / in the / OPERA / Call’d / ARSINOE / Queen / of / CYPRUS
Genre: Opera
Composer: Thomas Clayton, 1663-1725
Librettist: Peter Anthony Motteux, 1663-1718
Premiere: London, Drury Lane, 16 January 1705
First published: London: John Walsh, n.d.
Volume in the UNT Collection: London: John Walsh, n.d.
For further reading on Arsinoe, see:
Baldwin, Olive and Thelma Wilson. “Arsinoe.” Grove Music Online, ed. Laura Macy. [Accessed 17 December 2003]. <http://www.grovemusic.com>
Fiske, Roger. English Theatre Music in the Eighteenth Century. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.
Hook, Lucyle. “Motteux and the Classical Masque.” In British Theatre and Other Arts, 1600-1800, ed. Shirley Strum Kenny, pp. 105-15. Washington, D. C.: Folger Shakespeare Library, 1983.
White, Eric Walter. A History of English Opera. London: Faber and Faber, 1983.
Physical
Dimensions: 34.2 x 22.1 cm.
Collation: [unable to determine formula]; 52 leaves, ll. [3] 1-49.
Conservation: Very light foxing; bleed-through.
Binding: Light brown-covered board with brown buckram spine; rebound in modern library style.
Comments: Copper-plate engraving (plates measure 30.5 x 18 cm, some variants in plate sizes); "Mummery" written in pencil on first page recto.