How we got here: Hilarion, Cyril, and Florian make their entry into the grounds of Castle Adamant, from a Savoynet production in Bruxton.
"Darwinian Man, though well-behav'd,
at best is only a monkey shav'd!"
-- Lady Psyche, in Act II of Princess Ida
by Ken
Last week, in "Prince Hilarion's mission of the heart," we left our royal wooing party -- comprising Prince Hilarion and his childhood friends Cyril and Florian -- safely embedded behind enemy walls, in the garden of Castle Adamant, seat of the woman's college founded by Princess Ida, Hilarion's betrothed since she was a 12-month-old and he was twice as old. The princess, alas, has shown herself unwilling to honor her infant betrothal. In fact, in her 21 years she has had quite her fill of men, and has forsworn them; hence the college for women only.
As I noted last week, the common assumption that it's the women being ridiculed in Princess Ida seems to me utterly unsustainable by anyone who has eyes, ears, and a working brain. The lofty goals of Ida and her protégées may be tainted with charming silliness, but at least they have goals that go beyond fighting the next battle. By comparison, the behavior of the men -- whether of the martial or the poetical strain (our dramatis personae includes a quantity of each) -- ranges from preposterous to ludicrous and back.
Two plans are afoot to bring Princess Ida around, and at the moment we've been following the quest of Prince Hilarion to penetrate Castle Adamant and woo his child bride. To that end he, Cyril, and Florian have succeeded in disguising themselves as students of the college, and have even withstood the scrutiny of the princess herself, though in fairness what she has been scrutinizing these ungainly young maidens for isn't male impersonation but the earthly disappointment that is the true mark of an educable young woman.
Last week we heard our young gentleman agreeing with the princess, in a beautiful quartet, that "The world is but a broken toy, its pleasures hollow, false its joy." At this point, a new disaster befalls.
[Exit PRINCESS. The three gentlemen watch her off. LADY PSYCHE enters, and regards them with amazement.]
PRINCE HILARION: I'faith, the plunge is taken, gentlemen!
For, willy-nilly, we are maidens now,
and maids against our will we must remain.
[All laugh heartily.]
LADY PSYCHE [aside]: These ladies are unseemly in their mirth.
[The gentlemen see her, and, in confusion, resume their modest demeanor.]
FLORIAN [aside, to HILARION]:
Here's a catastrophe, Hilarion!
This is my sister! She'll remember me,
Though years have passed since she and I have met!
PRINCE HILARION [aside, to FLORIAN]:
Then make a virtue of necessity,
and trust our secret to her gentle care.
FLORIAN [to PSYCHE, who has watched CYRIL in amazement]:
Psyche! Why, don't you know me? Florian!
LADY PSYCHE [amazed]: Why, Florian!
FLORIAN: My sister! [Embraces her.]
LADY PSYCHE: Oh, my dear! What are you doing here -- and who are these?
PRINCE HILARION: I am that Prince Hilarion to whom
your Princess is betrothed.
I come to claim
her plighted love.
Your brother Florian
and Cyril came to see me safely through.
LADY PSYCHE: The Prince Hilarion? Cyril too? How strange!
My earliest playfellows!
PRINCE HILARION: Why, let me look!
Are you that learned little Psyche who
at school alarmed her mates because she called
a buttercup "ranunculus bulbosus"?
CYRIL: Are you indeed that Lady Psyche, who
at children's parties, drove the conjuror wild,
explaining all his tricks before he did them?
PRINCE HILARION: Are you that learned little Psyche, who
at dinner parties, brought in to dessert,
would tackle visitors with "You don't know
who first determined longitude -- I do --
Hipparchus 'twas — B.C. one sixty-three!"
Are you indeed that small phenomenon?
LADY PSYCHE: That small phenomenon indeed am I!
But gentlemen, 'tis death to enter here:
We have all promised to renounce mankind!
FLORIAN: Renounce mankind!? On what ground do you base
this senseless resolution?
LADY PSYCHE: Senseless? No.
We are all taught, and, being taught, believe
that Man, sprung from an Ape, is Ape at heart.
CYRIL: That's rather strong.
LADY PSYCHE: The truth is always strong!
John Bernard (Prince Hilarion), Melanie Melcher (Lady Psyche), Bradley Wilson (Florian), Christopher Swanson (Cyril). Newport Classic, recorded live at the 1999 Ohio Light Opera Festival
IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SONG CUE, IT IS
Princess Ida: Act II, Song, Lady Psyche, with Prince Hilarion, Cyril, and Florian, "A lady fair, of lineage high"
LADY PSYCHE: A Lady fair, of lineage high,
was loved by an Ape, in the days gone by.
The Maid was radiant as the sun,
the Ape was a most unsightly one,
the Ape was a most unsightly one.
So it would not do --
his scheme fell through,
for the Maid, when his love took formal shape,
express'd such terror
at his monstrous error,
that he stammer'd an apology and made his 'scape,
the picture of a disconcerted Ape.
With a view to rise in the social scale,
he shaved his bristles and he docked his tail.
He grew mustachios, and he took his tub,
and he paid his guinea to a toilet club,
he paid his guinea to a toilet club.
But it would not do,
the scheme fell through --
for the Maid was Beauty's fairest Queen,
with golden tresses,
like a real princess's,
while the Ape, despite his razor keen,
was the apiest Ape that ever was seen!
He bought white ties, and he bought dress suits,
he crammed his feet into bright tight boots --
and to start in life on a brand-new plan,
he christen'd himself Darwinian Man!
He christen'd himself Darwinian Man!
But it would not do,
the scheme fell through --
for the Maiden fair, whom the monkey crav'd,
was a radiant being,
with brain far-seeing --
while Darwinian Man, though well-behav'd,
at best is only a monkey shav'd!
THE MEN: For the Maiden fair, whom the monkey crav'd,
ALL: was a radiant being,
with a brain far-seeing --
while Darwinian Man, though well-behav'd,
at best is only a monkey shav'd!
Muriel Harding (s), Lady Psyche; Thomas Round (t), Prince Hilarion; Leonard Osborn (t), Cyril; Jeffrey Skitch (b), Florian; New Symphony Orchestra of London, Isidore Godfrey, cond.Decca, recorded cOct-Dec. 1954 (digital transfer by F. Reeder)
Ann Hood (s), Lady Psyche; Philip Potter (t), Prince Hilarion; David Palmer (t), Cyril; Jeffrey Skitch (b), Florian; D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent, cond. Decca, recorded May 1965
Melanie Melcher (s), Lady Psyche; John Bernard (t), Prince Hilarion; Christopher Swanson (t), Cyril; Bradley Wilson (b), Florian; Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, J. Lynn Thompson, cond. Newport Classic, recorded live at the 1999 Ohio Light Opera Festival
"THE TRUTH IS FOUND!"
Another obstacle has to be overcome: Our wooing party is further observed, by Melissa, the daughter of Lady Blanche, Princess Ida's right-hand Lady. But on exposure to the genuine article, she finds Man less objectionable than she has been led to believe.
UPDATE: I should have called attention to the considerable difference in pace (and tone) between the two D'Oyly Carte performances, the 1965 Sargent-conducted one being both a good deal slower and a good deal more refulgent. I would hate to be without either. I thought it would be interesting to hear how Maestro Sargent handled the number back in 1932, so I've added a clip of that. Interestingly, it falls somewhere in between -- probably closer to the standard quicker tempo, but already showing tendencies; and it should be noted that the 1932 "The woman of the wisest wit" shared a 78 side with "A lady fair, of lineage high." (The Ohio Light Opera performance is quickest of all.)
Quintet, Lady Psyche, Cyril, Prince Hilarion, Florian, and Melissa, "The woman of the wisest wit"
LADY PSYCHE: The woman of the wisest wit
may sometimes be mistaken, O!
In Ida's views, I must admit,
my faith is somewhat shaken O!
CYRIL: On every other point than this
her learning is untainted, O!
But Man's a theme with which she is
entirely unacquainted, O!
Acquainted, O! acquainted, O!
entirely unacquainted, O!
ALL: Then jump for joy and gaily bound,
the truth is found -- the truth is found!
Set bells a-ringing through the air --
ring here and there and ev'rywhere.
THE MEN: And echo forth the joyous sound,
ALL: The truth is found -- the truth is found!
THE MEN: And echo forth the joyous sound,
ALL: The truth is found -- the truth is found!
And echo forth the joyous sound,
the truth is found -- the truth is found!
[Dance]
MELISSA: My natural instinct teaches me
(and instinct is important, O!)
you're ev'rything you ought to be,
and nothing that you oughtn't, O!
HILARION: That fact was seen at once by you
in casual conversation, O!
Which is most creditable to
your powers of observation, O!
'Servation, O! 'servation, O!
Your powers of observation, O!
ALL: Then jump for joy and gaily bound,
the truth is found, the truth is found!
Let bells a-ringing through the air,
ring here and there and ev'rywhere.
THE MEN: And echo forth the joyous sound,
ALL: The truth is found -- the truth is found!
THE MEN: And echo forth the joyous sound,
ALL: The truth is found -- the truth is found!
And echo forth the joyous sound,
the truth is found -- the truth is found!
Muriel Harding (s), Lady Psyche; Beryl Dixon (s), Melissa; Thomas Round (t), Prince Hilarion; Leonard Osborn (t), Cyril; Jeffrey Skitch (b), Florian; D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, New Symphony Orchestra of London, Isidore Godfrey, cond. Decca, recorded cOct.-Dec., 1954 (digital transfer by F. Reeder)
Ann Hood (s), Lady Psyche; Valerie Masterson (s), Melissa; Philip Potter (t), Prince Hilarion; David Palmer (t), Cyril; Jeffrey Skitch (b), Florian; D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent, cond. Decca, recorded May 1965
Alilce Moxon (s), Lady Psyche; Nellie Briercliffe (s), Melissa; Derek Oldham (t), Prince Hilarion; Charles Goulding (t), Cyril; George Baker (b), Florian; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Malcolm Sargent, cond. EMI, recorded Sept. 26, 1932 (digital transfer by F. Reeder)
Melanie Melcher (s), Lady Psyche; Sandra Piques Eddy (s), Melissa; John Bernard (t), Prince Hilarion; Christopher Swanson (t), Cyril; Bradley Wilson (b), Florian; Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, J. Lynn Thompson, cond. Newport Classic, recorded live at the 1999 Ohio Light Opera Festival
ALAS, BOYS WILL BE BOYS
The call to luncheon is already a warning alarm, as Lady Blanche sets her young charges straight on the evils of appetites: One must learn to subdue them. Cyril, alas, is all appetites. He is this close to blowing the boys' cover.
Act II, Chorus with solos, Lady Blanche and Cyril, "Merrily ring the luncheon bell"
CHORUS: Merrily ring the luncheon bell!
Merrily ring the luncheon bell!
Here in meadow of asphodel,
feast we body and mind as well,
merrily ring the luncheon bell!
LADY BLANCHE: Hunger, I beg to state,
is highly indelicate.
This is a fact profoundly true.
So learn your appetites to subdue.
ALL: Yes, yes!
We'll learn our appetites to subdue!
CYRIL: Madam, your words so wise,
nobody should despise.
Curs'd with appetite keen I am,
and I'll subdue it --
and I'll subdue it --
I'll subdue it with cold roast lamb!
ALL: Yes, yes!
We'll subdue it with cold roast lamb!
Merrily ring the luncheon bell!
Merrily ring the luncheon bell!
Ann Drummond-Grant (c), Lady Blanche; Leonard Osborn (t), Cyril; New Symphony Orchestra of London, Isidore Godfrey, cond. Decca, recorded cOct.-Dec., 1954 (digital transfer by F. Reeder)
Christene Palmer (c), Lady Blanche; David Palmer (t), Cyril; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent, cond. Decca, recorded May 1965
Elaine Fox (c), Lady Blanche; Christopher Swanson (t), Cyril; Ohio Light Opera Chorus and Orchestra, J. Lynn Thompson, cond. Newport Classic, recorded live at the 1999 Ohio Light Opera Festival
AND NOW THE COVER IS BLOWN
Poor Cyril, now seriously tipsy, becomes dangerously indiscreet.
Act II: Song, Cyril, "Would you know the kind of maid"
CYRIL: Would you know the kind of maid
sets my heart aflame-a?
Eyes must be downcast and staid,
cheeks must flush for shame-a!
She may neither dance nor sing,
but, demure in everything,
hang her head in modest way,
with pouting lips, with pouting lips
that seem to say,
"Oh kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me,
though I die of shame-a!"
Please you, that's the kind of maid
sets my heart aflame-a!
"Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me,
though I die of shame-a!"
Please you, that's the kind of maid
sets my heart aflame-a!
When a maid is bold and gay,
with a tongue goes clang-a,
flaunting it in brave array,
maiden may go hang-a
sunflow'r gay and holly-hock
never shall my garden stock;
mine the blushing rose of May,
with pouting lips, with pouting lips
that seem to say, "Oh kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me,
though I die of shame-a!"
Please you, that's the kind of maid
sets my heart aflame-a!
"Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me,
though I die of shame-a!"
Please you, that's the kind of maid
sets my heart aflame-a!
Leonard Osborn (t), Cyril; New Symphony Orchestra of London, Isidore Godfrey, cond. Decca, recorded cOct.-Dec., 1954 (digital transfer by F. Reeder)
David Palmer (t), Cyril; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent, cond. Decca, recorded May 1965
Christopher Swanson (t), Cyril; Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, J. Lynn Thompson, cond. Newport Classic, recorded live at the 1999 Ohio Light Opera Festival
PRINCESS IDA CAN'T BELIEVE HER EYES!
"Infamous creature, get you hence away!" the princess exclaims. Fleeing from the (gasp) men, she runs onto a bridge, then even as she seems to be threatening to jump if they come one step closer, she loses her balance and falls into the stream. Hilarion "springs in" (says the stage direction), secures the princess, and carries her safely back to shore.
Act II, start of Finale, "Oh joy! Our chief is sav'd! . . . Prince Hilarion, "Whom thou hast chain'd must wear his chain"
GIRLS: Oh joy! Our chief is sav'd
and by Hillarion's hand;
the torrent fierce he brav'd,
and brought her safe to land!
For his intrusion we must own
this doughty deed may well atone!
PRINCESS IDA: Stand forth ye three,
whoe'er ye be,
and hearken to our stern decree!
CYRIL and FLORIAN: Have mercy, o Lady, disregard your oaths!
HILARION: Have mercy!
PRINCESS IDA: I know not mercy,
men in women's clothes!
The man whose sacrilegious eyes
invade our strict seclusion, dies!
Arrest the coarse intruding spies!
[They are arrested by the "Daughters of the Plough."]
GIRLS: Have mercy, O lady -- disregard your oaths.
PRINCESS IDA: I know no mercy, men in women's clothes!
[CYRIL and FLORIAN are bound.]
Song, Hilarion
PRINCE HILARION: Whom thou has chain'd must wear his chain,
thou canst not set him free.
He wrestles with his bonds in vain
who lives by loving thee!
If heart of stone for heart of fire,
be all thou hast to give,
if dead to my heart's desire,
why should I wish to live?
CYRIL, FLORIAN, and GIRLS: Have mercy, o Lady!
PRINCE HILARION: No word of thine -- no stern command
can teach my heart to rove.
Then rather perish by thy hand,
than live without thy love!
A loveless life apart from thee
were hopeless slavery,
were hopeless slavery.
If kindly death will set me free,
why should I fear to die?
If kindly death will set me free,
why should I fear,
why should I fear to die?
GIRLS [over the above]: Have mercy!
[HILARION is bound by two of the attendants, the three gentlemen are marched off.]
Victoria Sladen (s), Princess Ida; Thomas Round (t), Prince Hilarion; Leonard Osborn (t), Cyril; Jeffrey Skitch (b), Florian; D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, New Symphony Orchestra of London, Isidore Godfrey, cond. Decca, recorded cOct.-Dec., 1954 (digital transfer by F. Reeder)
Elizabeth Harwood (s), Princess Ida; Philip Potter (t), Prince Hilarion; David Palmer (t), Cyril; Jeffrey Skitch (b), Florian; D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent, cond. Decca, recorded May 1965
Julie Wright(s), Princess Ida; John Bernard (t), Prince Hilarion; Christopher Swanson (t), Cyril; Bradley Wilson (b), Florian; Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, J. Lynn Thompson, cond. Newport Classic, recorded live at the 1999 Ohio Light Opera Festival
"Whom thou hast chain'd" only
Derek Oldham (t), Prince Hilarion; Charles Goulding (t), Cyril; George Baker (b), Florian; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Malcolm Sargent, cond. EMI, recorded Sept. 29, 1932 (digital transfer by F. Reeder)
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