Trial by Jury, Gilbert & Sullivan
| Title | Trial by Jury |
| English Title | |
| Composer | Arthur Sullivan |
| Librettists | William Gilbert |
| Language | English, Dutch translation available |
| Genre | Dramatic cantata; one act |
| First performance | 25 March, 1875, Royalty Theatre, London |
| Time of action | About 1875 |
| Place of action | A London Court of Justice |
| Main parts |
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| Prominence of chorus | Large |
| Orchestra | 1 flute, 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, timp./perc., strings |
| Special demands | |
| Full score and orchestral parts | Available |
| Level | Not difficult |
| Length | One act of about 45 minutes |
| Music |
This 'dramatic cantata' is the first fruit of the long co-operation between Gilbert & Sullivan. It is also their only operetta without spoken dialogue. Musically there is much to be enjoyed: the many choruses, the 'dilemma' ensemble, the judge’s song, the counsel’s indictment etc., it is all Sullivan at his best |
| Story |
A certain Edwin is summoned to justice for break of promise. He gets very little sympathy: the jury, the public, the usher, the judge, all are prejudiced in favour of Angelina, the cheated bride. She and her counsel make good use of the prevailing mood, but Edwin fights back. The result is confusion, culminating in a grand operatic ensemble in the Italian belcanto manner ("A nice dilemma we have here."). Then the judge makes a surprising decision, to everybody’s satisfaction. |
| Costumes | Chorus: ladies and gentlemen, plus a group of bridesmaids, ideally numbering twelve, as in the end they are to marry the twelve jurors. |
| Note | The work makes a good combination with another one-act light opera (as a 'double bill') or with a concert before the interval. |
| Pictures | |
| Link | Wikipedia |
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