Martha

Martha (Martha, oder Der Markt zu Richmond - i.e. "Martha, or The Market at Richmond"- in the original German version) is a romantic comic opera in four acts by Friedrich von Flotow (1812-1883)[1] with a German libretto by Friedrich Wilhelm Riese (1807-1879)[2].

The original text

Based on based on a story by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges (1799-1875)[3], and starting out life as musical score for a ballet, the eventual opera was first performed in German at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna on 25 November 1847 and in London at Drury Lane Theatre on 4 June 1849.

Translations and adaptations

First performed in English at Drury Lane on 11 October 1858.

Performance history in South Africa

1869: Performed three times in the Mutual Hall, Cape Town by the Miranda-Harper Company (on 7, 16 and 21 December).

1968: Presented by CAPAB Opera, with Nellie du Toit as Lady Harriet Durham, produced by Jan Bouws Jr, conducted by Derek Hudson.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_(opera)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_von_Flotow

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Wilhelm_Riese

https://www.musicwithease.com/flotow-martha-synopsis.html

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 247-8

Alexandra Xenia Sabina Mossolow. 2003. The career of South African soprano Nellie du Toit, born 1929. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Stellenbosch.

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