Naughty Marietta

A 1910 operetta in two acts, with music by Victor Herbert and libretto by Rida Johnson Young.

Subject

Set in New Orleans in 1780, it tells how Captain Richard Warrington is commissioned to unmask and capture a notorious French pirate calling himself "Bras Priqué" who is, in fact, the Lieutenant-Governor's son, Etienne. He is helped and hindered by a high-spirited runaway, Marietta (the Contessa D'Altena) who has run away from her convent and arrived in New Orleans with the Casket Maidens. She persuades Captain Dick to disguise her as a boy (Rudolfo's son - Rafaello). Marietta has set her sights on Captain Dick but he is a confirmed bachelor. Etienne, after learning her true identity, wishes to marry her. Dick, meanwhile, has second thoughts about his "single blessedness", and the battle for Marietta's hand begins.

The score includes many well-known songs, including Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life." [1]

Performance history in South Africa

1961: Directed for Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society (JODS) in 1961 by Anthony Farmer.

1965: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society in 1965.

19??: Performed by Alexander Road High School. Directed by Alexandra Emslie with Musical Director Bruce Johnson with lighting by Diana Ayliff. Starring: Kurt Ayerst (Lieutenant-Governor Grandet), Shante Bradfield (Nanette), Catherine Cranna (Adah, Etienne's slave-girl), Mark Cross (Sir Harry Blake), Heather Glass (Fanchon), Anne Johnson (Graziella), Heather Minnie (Lizette), Tracey Ann Minnie (Marietta), Andre Pearce (Capt. Dick Warrington), Michael Saunders (Rudolfo), Gary Tait (Florenz), Richard Trumpp, (Silas), Bernd Veening (Etienne Grandet, alias Bras Pique the pirate), and Stella Winter (Felice).

Sources

Tucker, 1997. 156.

Wikipedia

Original programme Naughty Marietta presented by Alexander Road High School, Port Elizabeth, 197?

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