|
|||
|
LEO, THE ROYAL CADET By Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann Libretto by George F. Cameron
& Charles Cameron Operetta newly revised in two
acts commissioned by Toronto Operetta
Theatre Guillermo Silva-Marin, Founder and
General Director Adapted by Virginia Reh Additional Music by S. Codman Score Adapted, Arranged and
Orchestrated by John Greer Premiere: 1889, Martin’s
Opera House, Kingston Ontario under the patronage of the
Commandant and Staff and gentlemen Cadets of the Royal
Military College SYNOPSIS Act I Picnic Grounds outside the Royal Military
College, Kingston, May 1878 The college is having an open house picnic in
celebration of Queen Victoria’s birthday. While the cadets prepare for
the picnic and the arrival of guests, Andy, a civilian with somewhat liberal
tendencies has brought along some unofficial Burgundy wine for a special
toast. Leo, another civilian guest leads the toast with Fill up the bowl,
boys. Not wanting to miss a great recruiting opportunity for the African
campaign, Captain Wellington Bloodswigger arrives
praising the life of a soldier in The life of a rover is mine. His argument
with Andy is soon interrupted by the arrival of Wind, a young poet and
composer friend of Leo (I am Wind). He is attending the celebrations in
pursuit of material for his Faerie Opera. The party is now complete upon the
arrival of the Ladies led by Neffie, Caroline and Madge, some from as far off as Ganonoque,
carrying their picnic baskets full of Sally Lunds,
pies and other delicacies (We are maidens). Somewhat discomfited by the
presence of females, Captain Bloodswigger continues
to praise the military life in I cannot sing of ladies fair. He now
introduces the Royal Military College Commandant Hewitt, who after
introducing the new French and German professors,
invites the entire party for a tour of the College. The French and German
professors take the opportunity to make each other’s acquaintance (The
French and German professors). Neffie is unhappy
with Leo’s apparent interest in military life. Afraid that the next
step after life at the RMC would be joining the forces against the Zulus in
Africa, she regrets she ever listened to his words of love (Maiden so
beautiful/First Love). The picnic party resumes (The red sun sinks to sleep)
with dances, (The Rideau) and military hymns (Glory
and Victory) just as Leo makes his decision to join the college. Perhaps
blinded by the festive atmosphere, Wind also joins. The commandant, notidng Neffie’s distress
decides to woo her for himself (Ho, ho! My pretty maid). A better strategy stifi would be to rid himself of Leo (The Initiation) by ordering
Captain Bloodswigger to add both Leo and Wind to
the next party leaving for the war. The celebrations end with a hymn to
pumpkin pie and tender farewells. ACT II, Scene I The British Camp at Isandiwana,
January 1879 Leo is now with a group of soldiers at their camp
(Soldiers and our country’s pride), while surrounded by the fearless
Zulu warriors. Tired and homesick, Leo thinks of Nellie (The days of long
ago). Captain Bloodswigger is to reach the other
camp and recommends that all have a good sleep before the battle. Not being
able to do so, Leo watches over the soldier’s rest and sounds the bugle
upon the impending threat of the Zulus (The moon is bright/To the field). The
Zulus arrive demanding a return of their dear native land (Now for justice)
and join in battle against the invader (The Battle). ACT II, Scene II Grounds outside The Royal Military College,
Spring 1879 Fearing the worst, Nellie places a tribute to
Leo’s memory at the site of their last farewell (He sleeps the sleep).
Caroline consoles her (True love can never alter), knowing very well that no
news is good news. Andy arrives with his friends to woo Caroline in the
absence of Captain Bloodswigger (We are the Dudes).
The ladies mock these advances in (Some day!) soon to be interrupted by the
arrival of our heroes Leo, Wind and the Captain (Smile again). Wind has
finished his Faerie Opera and an impromptu performance is realized for the
merriment of all (Wind’s Faerie Opera). The curtain falls as all sing
Glory and Victory. Oscar
Telgmann Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann
was born about 1855 — he was never quite sure of the date — the
son of Dr. and Mrs. Ferdinand J. Telgmann. Born in
Germany, he came to Canada as a young boy with his parents. His father, a
physician, was well known in Kingston and the surrounding district. Early on,
young Oscar Ferdinand made music the career of his life and toured Canada
with the Little Symphony, comprised of his brothers and sisters. In 1892 he
established the Kingston Symphony Orchestra which flourished for about thirty
years; and, for a time, he had the Conservatory of Music. He brought many
noted artists and orchestras to Kingston and, as a hobby, made violins which
had a mellow and sweet tone. As a composer, he is probably best know for his operetta, LEO, for which George Frederick
Cameron wrote the lyrics. They had collaborated previously on Our Premier, a
march “dedicated by permission to the Rt. Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald,
P.C., G.C.B., Premier of the Dominion of Canada” and published in
Kingston by Charles T. Cameron in 1885. Telgmann
also composed the British Whig march and two marches for Queen’s
University: “The Mascot, Boo Hoo’s
March” and “Boo Hoo’s
Queen’s Dominion Victory March, 1922”. (Boo Hoo
was a brown bear who appeared on the sideline; and in 1922 the Queen’s
football team won the Grey Cup, as Dominion Champions). After a long and
distinguished career in music, Oscar F. Telgmann
died, in Toronto, on March 30, 1946, aged 91. The composing of LEO must have been in process
for a number of years, for the lyricist, George F. Cameron, died in 1885, aged 31. According to the Oxford Companion to Canadian
History and Literature, he was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, educated
there and at the Boston Law School. In 1883 he became editor of the Kingston
News. A selection of his poetry was published in 1887 by his brother Charles
F. Cameron, a professor at Queen’s University. William Angus |
|||
|
/TOT_logo.GIF){kind=logo}