On my 44th birthday, that line "She may very well pass for 43 in the dusk, with the light behind her" kept running through my mind. I kept chuckling and smiling at odd intervals all that day!
If this is too frolicsome for you, I recommend Anna Russell's summary of "The Ring of the Nibelungs". It includes a description of Siegfried as the perfect hero, and her declaration that "I'm not making any of this up".
This is a wonderful production - as is the production of HMS Pinafore on the same bill. The whole company is fantastic and seem to be having so much fun. I’m watching it on You Tube at the moment - mind you I did save it. The joint performance is available from Opera Arte as a DVD & is well worth owning.
When I, good friends, was called to the bar, I'd an appetite fresh and hearty. But I was, as many young barristers are, An impecunious party. I'd a swallow-tail coat of a beautiful blue -- [line 115] And a brief which I bought of a booby -- A couple of shirts, and a collar or two, And a ring that looked like a ruby! CHORUS. He'd a couple of shirts, and a collar or two, and a ring that looked like a ruby. JUDGE. In Westminster Hall I danced a dance, Like a semi-despondent fury; For I thought I never should hit on a chance Of addressing a British Jury-- But I soon got tired of third-class journeys, And dinners of bread and water; So I fell in love with a rich attorney's Elderly, ugly daughter. CHORUS. So he fell in love with a rich attorney's Elderly, ugly daughter. JUDGE. The rich attorney, he jumped with joy, And replied to my fond professions: "You shall reap the reward of your pluck, my boy, At the Bailey and Middlesex sessions. You'll soon get used to her looks," said he, "And a very nice girl you will find her! She may very well pass for forty-three In the dusk, with a light behind her!" CHORUS. She may very well pass for forty-three In the dusk, with a light behind her! JUDGE. The rich attorney was good as his word; The briefs came trooping gaily, And every day my voice was heard At the Sessions or Ancient Bailey. All thieves who could my fees afford Relied on my orations. And many a burglar I've restored To his friends and his relations. CHORUS. And many a burglar he's restored To his friends and his relations. JUDGE. At length I became as rich as the Gurneys -- An incubus then I thought her, So I threw over that rich attorney's Elderly, ugly daughter. The rich attorney my character high Tried vainly to disparage-- CHORUS. No! JUDGE. Yes! (chuckles) And now, if you please, I'm ready to try This Breach of Promise of Marriage! CHORUS. And now if you please, he's ready to try This Breach of Promise of Marriage! JUDGE. For now I'm a Judge! ALL. And a good Judge, too! JUDGE. For now I'm a Judge! ALL. And a good Judge, too! JUDGE. Though all my law be fudge, Yet I'll never, never budge, But I'll live and die a Judge! ALL. And a good Judge, too! JUDGE (pianissimo). It was managed by a job-- ALL. And a good job, too! JUDGE. It was managed by a job! ALL. And a good job too! JUDGE. It is patent to the mob, That my being made a nob Was effected by a job. ALL. And a good job too! Enter COUNSEL for PLAINTIFF.
It took me a while to work out that the judge was also the Captain of HMS Pinafore this was the second part that was performed by the wonderful Australian company, they have of course changed some of the words to modernise it.
Not every one of W.S. Gilbert's librettos can be sung in broad Scots. This one's superb. I'd love to hear the lists in the "Mikado" from the most humane Mikado, and the Lord High Executioner.
@@EmilyGloeggler7984 You may be right. I enjoy only some operettas. Fledermaus, Land des Laechelns. And this is pretty much everything. Other just make me feel strange. Is just not to my taste
