powered by FreeFind

 


Vocal Score by G. Schirmer

Trial By Jury

Music by Arthur Sullivan: Lyrics and Libretto by W. S. Gilbert

Royalty Theatre, London - 25 March, 1875
Arch Theatre, Philadelphia - 22 October, 1875
Eagle Theatre, New York - 15 November, 1875


THE STORY

(A Court of Justice)

Angelina is sueing Edwin for breach of promise, claiming that he has broken his word to marry her. In his own defence, Edwin argues that is unfair to punish him for loving one girl one day and, bored with her, loving another the next. However, the sight of this beautiful girl overcome by emotion and greatly distressed quickly captures the hearts of the 'impartial' jury. In an attempt to resolve the matter, Edwin offers to marry both girls but his suggestion is rejected on the grounds of bigamy.

Faced with potentially substantial damages, Edwin then claims to be a drunkard and a bully, liable to beat Angelina when intoxicated, and worth very little in financial terms. This leads the Judge to suggest that they make him drunk and observe his behaviour towards Angelina! When all except Edwin object to this the Judge becomes very impatient with the whole affair and, in a final effort to bring the trial to a conclusion, he declares that he will marry Angelina himself. This suits everybody, and the case is closed.

Principal Characters

The Learned Judge
Angelina (the Plaintiff)
Edwin (the Defendant)
Counsel for the Plaintiff
Foreman of the Jury
First Bridesmaid

Musical Numbers

  1. Hark, the hour of ten is sounding (Chorus) and Now, Jurymen, hear my advice (Usher
    1a . Is this the Court of the Exchequer? (Defendant)
  2. When first my old, old love I knew (Defendant and Chorus) and Silence in Court! (Usher)
  3. All hail great Judge! (Chorus and Judge)
  4. When I, good friends, was call'd to the Bar (Judge and Chorus)
  5. Swear thou the Jury (Counsel, Usher) and Oh will you swear by yonder skies (Usher and Chorus)
  6. Where is the Plaintiff? (Counsel, Usher) and Comes the broken flower (Chorus of Bridesmaids and  Plaintiff)
  7. Oh, never, never, never, since I joined the human race (Judge, Foreman, Chorus)
  8. May it please you, my lud! (Counsel for Plaintiff and Chorus)
  9. That she is reeling is plain to see! (Judge, Foreman, Plaintiff, Counsel, and Chorus)
  10. Oh, gentlemen, listen, I pray (Defendant and Chorus of Bridesmaids)
  11. That seems a reasonable proposition (Judge, Counsel, and Chorus)
  12. A nice dilemma we have here (Ensemble)
  13. I love him, I love him, with fervour unceasing (Plaintiff, Defendant and Chorus) and The question, gentlemen, is one of liquor (Judge and Ensemble)
  14. Oh, joy unbounded, with wealth surrounded (Ensemble)

INSTRUMENTATION (Total number of books = 21)

3 Violins I, 3 Violins II, 2 Violas, 2 Cellos, 1 Double Bass, 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Horn, 1 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Timps , 1 Percussion, 1 Piano (optional - annotated vocal score), 1 Full Score