Ruddigore
or
The Witch's Curse
Ruddigore was the 10th collaboration between Gilbert and
Sullivan. The "supernatural opera" opened on January 21,
1887 at the Savoy Theatre and ran for 288 performances. It
was not revived until 1920 when it was substantially cut an
provided with a new overture arranged by Geoffrey Toye.
The opera is a parody of the stock melodrama — the villain
who carries off the maiden; the priggishly good-mannered
poor-but-virtuous-heroine; the hero in disguise, and his
faithful old retainer who dreams of their former glory
days; the snake in the grass who claims to be following his
heart; the wild, mad girl; the swagger of fire-eating
patriotism; ghosts coming to life to enforce a curse; and
so forth. But as one critic noted, Gilbert turns the moral
absolutes of melodrama upside down: Good becomes bad, bad
becomes good, and heroes take the easy way out.
The Baronets of Ruddigore are cursed. Anyone who succeeds
to the title has to commit a crime every day — or perish in
inconceivable agony.
Robin Oakapple, a young farmer loves Rose Maybud, but both
are too shy to tell the other. But Robin has a secret. He
is really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, the rightful Baronet of
Ruddigore, in disguise. His younger brother, Despard,
believing Ruthven to be dead, has assumed the title.
Robin's foster brother, Richard, seeking Rose for himself,
tells Despard of Robin's deception, and Robin is forced to
accept his true position, losing Rose to Richard in the
process.
Now the Baronet of Ruddigore, Robin is confronted by the he
ghosts of his ancestors who step from their picture frames
in the gallery of Ruddigore Castle to confront him for
failing to conscientiously commit his daily crime. Robin
eventually finds a way of satisfying his ancestors demands
whilst continuing to live a blameless life...