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".