The Maid of Artois is an opera by Michael William Balfe, written in 1836 to a libretto by Alfred Bunn, manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, who based his work on Eugène Scribe's stage version of Abbé Prévost's novel Manon Lescaut.
The opera opened on 27 May 1836, starring Maria Malibran as the title character, Isoline. The story concerns a girl in love, who is poached by a rich Marquis. The lovers seem destined to end their days in the wastes of the desert, until an unexpected rescue comes. The opera received good notices, and the overture was much admired.
Balfe's music shows the influence of his earlier training in Italy, especially of Bellini and Donizetti, as well as the French works that Balfe had sung (as a baritone) at the Paris Opéra, where he and Malibran had appeared together. Balfe wrote The Maid of Artois partly as a vehicle for her. Malibran was a mezzo-soprano with a three octave range. She had died in September 1836 before the score was printed, and so Balfe decided to set brighter, higher versions of the coloratura and other music in her role that are more typical of operatic treatments of a youthful character such as Isoline.
Isoline contraltoJules tenorMarquis baritoneSynnelet bassCoralieSans RegretMartinCentinnelCount SaulnierAct 1The grounds of a Parisian Chateau
1 Men – Drink, boys2 Marquis – Recit. The Rosy hours2a Marquis, Sans R, Chorus – Cavatina Then silly is the heart3 Andante4 Jules – Recit. Oh, if at times4a Jules – Cavatina My soul, in one unbroken5 Sans R & Jules – Here, take the contents6 Coralie, Jules, Sans R, Men – Then thus oppress’d7 Women – The sigh from her heart8 Isoline – Recit. My thoughts which forthIsoline – The heart that once hathIsoline, Women – Oh could I but that peace9 Isoline, Marquis – Oh! leave me not9a Isoline, Marquis – Oh, why should I weep10 Isoline – Yon moon o’er the mountains11 Jules, Isoline, – Finale: What sounds are those I hear11a Isoline, Jules, Marquis – Finale: Trio My bosom with hope12 Marquis, Isoline, Jules – Finale: Ensemble Deceitful womanSans Regret, Chorus, CountAct 2A fort in British Guiana
13 Men, Women and slaves – Here’s to the Soldier Lover14 Synnelet, Chorus – Was there ever known15 Ballet16 Isoline – Oh! what a charm it is17 Isoline, Jules, Nin, Syn, Chor Quartet & Ch – From shore to shore18 Indian Dance19 Isoline & Jules – And do these arms19a Jules, Isoline – I have strength to bear19b Martin, Isol, Jules, Nin, Syn Ensemble – Five minutes are expired20 Chorus, Syn, Cent, Martin – Finale These joyous sounds upon the ear21 Marquis – Recit. I gaze upon the stranger land21a Marquis – The light of the other days is faded22 Chorus, Marquis, Synnelet – Finale Hail to the ChiefAct 3In the Desert
23 Isoline – Recit. The sounds which have pursued23a Isoline – Oh, beautiful night24 Isoline, Jules – There’s blood upon his arm25 March26 Isoline, Chorus – Finale: The rapture swelling though my breast
