from Act IV of the German opera Martha by Friedrich von Flotow

Libretto: W. Friedrich

Role: Lady Harriet Durham (Martha), The Maid-Of-Honor to Queen Anne

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: lyric soprano

Setting: Plunkett's farm, the town of Richmond, England, 18th century during the reign of Queen Anne

Synopsis: After sending Nancy to bring Lionel to her, Harriet declares that she will tell Lionel that she loves him and then they will both be happy.

from Act II of the Italian|German opera Martha by Friedrich von Flotow

Libretto: W. Friedrich

Role: Lady Harriet Durham (Martha), The Maid-Of-Honor to Queen Anne

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: lyric soprano

Setting: Plunkett's farm, the town of Richmond, England, 18th century during the reign of Queen Anne

Synopsis: Disguised as Martha, Harriet has been taken to Plunkett's farmhouse along with Nancy (who is disguised as Julia) in order to do their housework. However, they have no idea how to do anything. After Nancy knocks over Plunkett's spinning wheel and Plunkett chases her away, Harriet and Lionel are left alone. Lionel declares that he has fallen in love with Harriet and asks her to sing a folk song. She responds with the Irish song "The Last Rose of Summer".

from Act III of the Italian|German opera Martha by Friedrich von Flotow

Libretto: W. Friedrich

Role: Lionel, Plunkett's foster brother

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: A hunting park in Richmond Forest, England, 18th century during the reign of Queen Anne

Synopsis: After meeting Lady Harriet the night before disguised as "Martha", Lionel sees her again with the ladies-in-waiting for Queen Anne. He is struck again by her beauty and grieves that he will probably never be with her again.

from Act III of the German opera Martha by Friedrich von Flotow

Libretto: W. Friedrich

Role: Nancy (Julia), Lady Harriet's friend and maid

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: lyric mezzo

Setting: A hunting park in Richmond Forest, England, 18th century during the reign of Queen Anne

Synopsis: Along with the ladies-in-waiting, Nancy sings a hunting song.

from Act III of the Italian|German opera Martha by Friedrich von Flotow

Libretto: W. Friedrich

Role: Nancy (Julia), Lady Harriet's friend and maid

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: lyric mezzo

Setting: A hunting park in Richmond Forest, England, 18th century during the reign of Queen Anne

Synopsis: This aria extends "Jägerin, schlau im Sinn" into an entire aria for Nancy. It declares the love that Nancy feels for the farmer Plunkett. It was written originally for Mme. Nantier-Didiée.

from Act III of the Italian|German opera Martha by Friedrich von Flotow

Libretto: W. Friedrich

Role: Plunkett, a wealthy farmer

Voice Part: bass       Fach: heavy bass

Setting: An inn in Richmond, England, 18th century during the reign of Queen Anne

Synopsis: As Plunkett drinks beer with his farmer friends, he sings a drinking song praising the qualities of English ale.