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FULL THOMAS AND SALLY (Thomas Arne) Cambridge MA 2025 Michael Gonzales, Emma Robertson, Tim Ayres-Kerr, Sara Mitnik
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: THOMAS AND SALLY (also known as The Sailor's Return)
- Composer: Arne Thomas
- Libretto: Isaac Bickerstaffe Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, Cambridge MA, The Cambridge Chamber Ensemble
- Recorded: July 2025
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: Michael Gonzales, Emma Robertson, Tim Ayres-Kerr, Sara Mitnik, Thai Johnson, David Syth
- Conductor: Stephanie Beatrice
- Orchestra: The Cambridge Chamber Ensemble
- Stage Director: Holly Stone
- Stage Designer: Peyton Tavares
- Costume Designer: E.Rosser
- Lighting Designer: RJ LaMura
Information about the Recording
- Format: DVD
- Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
- Subtitles: yessubs, ensubs
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Thomas and Sally (also known as The Sailor’s Return) is a dramatic pastoral opera in two acts by the composer Thomas Arne with an English libretto by Isaac Bickerstaffe. The opera was meant to be performed as an “after piece”, which is a short musical work to be performed after a spoken play.
Thomas and Sally is about fifty minutes in length and is notable in that it is the first English comic opera to be sung throughout. The orchestration is also unusual for a lighter opera of this period, as Arne included clarinets in the score which were usually only used in tragic pieces. The nautical themes in the libretto led Arne to compose a sturdy score that includes a boisterous hunting song for the Squire. Sally’s songs are written in an opera buffa style.
Synopsis
Act 1
Sally is distraught over the impending loss of Thomas who is about to embark on a sea voyage which will separate them for a long time. The lovers tearfully say goodbye to one another. Meanwhile, the squire is infatuated with Sally but has not pursued her because of Thomas. Now that Thomas is gone, the squire decides to try to woo Sally under the encouragement of Dorcas. Sally spurns the squire. Seeing that he has failed, Dorcas tries to help him out by advising Sally to celebrate her youth. Sally, however, remains firm in her devotion to Thomas.
Act 2
The squire and Dorcas continue to plot together in the attempt to woo Sally. Just as it seems like Sally may give in, Thomas returns to rescue Sally and the two declare that they will marry.
Quoted from Wikipedia