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Overview

Synopsis

Based on Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park, this opera follows the story of young Fanny Price, who at the age of 10 was sent to live with her wealthy relatives at Mansfield Park, in Northamptonshire. Her life is an uncomfortable and unhappy one at the hands of her relatives, as Fanny grows up amidst the coordination of marriages, vocations, and romances for her four older cousins, Tom, Edmund, Maria, and Julia.

Sir Thomas Bertram, Fanny’s uncle, leaves to attend business abroad, and returns to find Fanny has matured well. A marriage is proposed for Fanny, to Henry Crawford, but Fanny refuses, as she has seen Henry’s awful treatment of other women. Fanny’s decision is proven to be the right one, when an affair is revealed between Henry Crawford and Maria, one of Fanny’s cousins who was recently married. Disgrace and divorce plague the Bertram’s household, and a fall from a horse threatens the life of Tom Bertram, the eldest cousin. Despite her previous treatment, Fanny works to keep everything peaceful and joyful at Mansfield Park.

After learning about the adultery, Edmund Bertram breaks off his engagement with Mary Crawford, Henry’s sister. It would not be appropriate for a man entering the clergy to be associated with the family. He confides in Fanny, and the two of them grow fond of each other. They marry and move into the parsonage at Mansfield Park.

A well-loved novel, which deals with many important themes, such as wealth and povery, social status, marriage and adultery, slavery, and religious vocation, is brought to life in Dove’s 2011 opera.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2011
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Northamptonshire, England, Regency Period, 19th century, 1700s, Portsmouth
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
Chamber Opera, College/University, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Opera, Includes Young Adult, Mature Adult, Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Fanny Price

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Maria Bertram

Lead

Female

Soprano

Edmund Bertram

Lead

Male

Baritone

Henry Crawford

Lead

Male

Tenor

Lady Bertram

Supporting

Female

Contralto

Sir Thomas Bertram

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Julia Bertram

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Aunt Norris

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Mary Crawford

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Mr Rushworth

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Songs

Author’s Note: The titles of each chapter are sung by the characters at the beginning of each scene.

Act One

Scene 1: Chapter One. The Bertrams Observed

Scene 2: Chapter Two. First Impressions

Scene 3. Chapter Three. Sir Thomas Bertram’s Farewell

Scene 4. Chapter Four. Landscape Gardening

Scene 5. Chapter Five. In the Wilderness

Scene 6. Chapter Six. Music and Astronomy

Scene 7. Chapter Seven. Lovers’ Vows

Scene 8. Chapter Eight. Persuasion

Scene 9. Chapter Nine. The Rehearsal Interrupted

Scene 10. Chapter Ten. Independence and Splendour, or Twelve Thousand a Year

Scene 11. Chapter Eleven. A View of a Wedding, seen from the Shrubbery at Mansfield Park

Act Two

Scene 1. Volume Two. Chapter One. Preparations for a Ball

Scene 2. Chapter Two. A Ball

Scene 3. Chapter Three. A Proposal

Scene 4. Chapter Four. Some Correspondence

Scene 5. Chapter Five. Follies and Grottoes

Scene 6. Chapter Six. A Newspaper Paragraph

Scene 7. Chapter the Last

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Wendy Silvester

Wendy Silvester

Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.