from Act II, Scene 2 of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim, raised in a gypsy camp

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: lyric soprano

Setting: A street fair in Presburg

Synopsis: A troop of gypsies is performing at a street fair in Presburg. The featured soloist is Arline, who leads this song. The chorus joins her on the refrains.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim, raised in a gypsy camp

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: lyric soprano

Setting: A gypsy camp, near Presburg

Synopsis: Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim, has been raised in a gypsy camp. She has no conscious memory of her father, from whom she was separated when a child. She tells Thaddeus, a Polish exile who has also been living with the gypsies for several years, of a dream she had.

from Act III of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim, raised in a gypsy camp

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: lyric soprano

Setting: A hall in Count Arnheim's castle

Synopsis: Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim, has been raised in the gypsy camp. While there she fell in love with Thaddeus, a Polish exile who also lived with the gypsies. She has recently been reunited with her father and now lives in his castle. While secretly visiting her there, Thaddeus was caught. He reveals his true heritage to the Count and the others. Moved by the young couple's love, the Count agrees to forget about past political feuds, and he blesses their marriage. Arline sings of her delight.

from Act I of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Count Arnheim, governor of Presburg

Voice Part: bass       Fach: lyric bass

Setting: The grounds near Count Arnheim's castle on the Danube

Synopsis: The Count and his men are preparing for a hunt. Before they leave, the Count sings of the joys of a soldier's life. Later he says goodbye to his daughter Arline (a child in this act).

from Act II, Scene 4 of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Count Arnheim, governor of Presburg

Voice Part: bass       Fach: lyric bass

Setting: The Count's apartment in the Hall of Justice

Synopsis: Twelve years ago, the Count's daughter went missing and he has given up hope of finding her again. Viewing a picture of her, he recollects her fondly.

from Act I of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Florestein, Count Arnheim's effeminate nephew

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: buffo tenor

Setting: The grounds near Count Arnheim's castle on the Danube

Synopsis: Florestein has accompanied his uncle, the Count Arnheim, on a hunt. With him is his cousin, the count's daughter Arline (a child in this act). When they are attacked by a wild stag, Florestein rushes back to the castle in fright.

from Act III of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Thaddeus, a Polish exile and fugitive

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: A hall in Count Arnheim's castle

Synopsis: Count Arnheim's daughter Arline was kidnapped as a child and raised by gypsies. She has recently been reunited with her father and is living in his castle, but she has fond memories of the gypsy camp and Thaddeus, the man she loved. Thaddeus now comes to her window and sings this serenade.

from Act I of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Thaddeus, a Polish exile and fugitive

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: The grounds near Count Arnheim's castle on the Danube

Synopsis: While fleeing from the Austrian soldiers chasing him, Thaddeus comes to Count Arnheim's castle. Recognizing the statue of the Austrian emperor, he realizes the castle is sympathetic to his enemy.

from Act III of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: Thaddeus, a Polish exile and fugitive

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: A hall in Count Arnheim's castle

Synopsis: An exiled Polish prince, Thaddeus has lived with a gypsy band for several years. There he met Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim, who was abducted as a child and grew up with the gypsies. The two were in love, but Arline has reunited with her father and now lives in his castle. While secretly visiting her there, Thaddeus has been discovered. Arline defends Thaddeus before her father, saying that she loves him even though he is a gypsy. Thaddeus then surprises them both by announcing his true heritage.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: The Queen of the Gypsies

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano

Setting: A gypsy camp, near Presburg

Synopsis: The Queen is in love with Thaddeus, a young man in the camp. However, he prefers Arline. Before the entire company of gypsies, Arline has declared her love for Thaddeus and her desire to marry him. After some hesitation, the Queen blesses the union. Then, she expresses her sorrow in a ballad.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the English opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe

Libretto: Alfred Bunn

Role: The Queen of the Gypsies

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano

Setting: A gypsy camp, near Presburg

Synopsis: The Queen is in love with Thaddeus, a young man in the camp. However, he prefers Arline. Before the entire company of gypsies, Arline has declared her love for Thaddeus and her desire to marry him. After some hesitation, the Queen blesses the union. After the others have left, she expresses her sorrow in this aria.