The Disappointment, or The Force of Credulity is a ballad opera composed by Samuel Adler in two acts with a prologue and epilogue, to a text by an unknown author writing under the pseudonym "Andrew Barton". William Peterson, in 1766, claimed that the opera was written by a "son of Philadelphia College," leading to speculation that the author may have been Francis Hopkinson or Jacob Duché. In his book on American drama, Walter Meserve claims that the author was named Thomas Forrest. Regarded as one of the first American operas, it was to have been performed on April 20, 1762 in Philadelphia but was cancelled at the last moment.
Contents
Samuel Adler reconstructed the score for a performance on October 29, 1976 at the Library of Congress in Washington, as part of the Bicentennial celebrations of the United States of America. A critic published a lukewarm review of the performance at the time.
CAST
Act I
Scene 1 Three of the humorists meet in a tavern to discuss the forged documents and fabricated story that will convince the dupes that the location of one of Blackbeard’s treasures has been discovered. Rattletrap, designated to impersonate a conjurer, joins the others before she dupes arrive. The dupes axe then cleverly drawn into the conspiracy, and they delight at the prospect of such a windfall. (Opening Song, Airs 1-3)
Scene 2. Trushoop, who has been keeping late hours in order to plan for the recovery of the—treasure. finds himself locked out of his own house at night. His wife has little sympathy for his plight, since Trushoop’s vow of secrecy has left his tardi¬ness unexplained.
Scene 3. Moll Placket has no difficulty in prying she secret of the treasure from her keeper. Raccoon. She in turn decides that she will desert him as soon as he has made her wealthy. (Airs 4 and 5)
Scene 4. Hum, Quadrant, and Rattletrap confer in a street to ensure that all prepara¬tions for the treasure hunt have been made, including a spectacular, phony display of magic by Rattletrap.
Scene 5. McSnip abuses and insults the employees at his tailor’s shop, since he anticipates that he will have little use for them in the future. (Air 6)
Scene 6. Lucy and Meanwell find their marriage plans obstructed, because Washball has suddenly decided that a rich man’s niece might find a more suitable mate. Washball arrives and drives Meanwell from his house. (Air 7)
Scene 7, The humorists and dupes together make final preparations for their night¬time treasure hunt. Each member of the party declares his readiness and courage in the face of the anticipated dangers. (Airs 3-10)
Act II
Scene I. Moll Placket is pleasantly occupied with a sailor, Topinlift, when Raccoon returns home unexpectedly. The sailor hides under the bed, but Raccoon’s suspicions are aroused. Topinlift finally manages an escape when Moll pretends that she is conjuring up a beneficent spirit to aid Raccoon in his quest for the treasure. (Airs 11-13)
Scene 2. The search party reaches the place where the treasure is buried. Rattletrap impresses the dupes with a mock ritual that is supposed to divine the location of the chest and free the treasure from the spirits of the dead. The dupes, thoroughly frightened but still determined, finally raise the chest from the earth and agree to carry it to Washball’s house, where the treasure can be divided on the following day. (Air 14)
Scene 3. Meanwell persuades Lucy to marry him despite her uncle’s objections. (Ast 15)
Scene 4. Washball decides to increase his share of the treasure by informing the king’s tax collector of the discovery. The wealth could then be divided between Washball and the king. The collector agrees to appear at Washball’s house.
Scene 5. The treasure hunters gather at Washball's home and are astonished when Washball appears with the king’s agent. Hum secretly informs the collector of the nature of the prank, while the rest of the group angrily berates Washball for betraying his fellows. The chest is pried open, and its contents are revealed—bricks and stones. The dupes are despondent. Their aspirations are dashed, and their gullibility is now a public spectacle. The situation- is eased by the appearance of Lucy and Meanwell, who have just been married and now seek Washball’s blessing. The dupes all repent of their foolishness and resolve to live better lives in the future. (Airs 16-IS and a Country dance)
Epilogue. The principal characters appear on the stage, some singing fragments of songs, and each comments on the play’s reception by the audience. (Closing Song)