Composer

:

John Philip Sousa

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1897

The Bride Elect is an operetta composed by John Philip Sousa, with a libretto by Sousa and his frequent collaborator, Sybil Seligman. The operetta premiered on December 10, 1897, at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York City. The plot of The Bride Elect revolves around the character of Sally Simpkins, a young woman who is engaged to be married to the wealthy and handsome Jack Barlow. However, Sally's father, a wealthy businessman, disapproves of the match and insists that Sally marry his business partner, Horace B. Sellars, instead. Sally is torn between her love for Jack and her duty to her father, and the operetta follows her as she tries to navigate this difficult situation. The music of The Bride Elect is characterized by Sousa's signature marches and lively dance numbers, as well as more romantic and sentimental ballads. The operetta is divided into three acts, each with its own distinct musical style and tone. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict between Sally's desire for love and her father's desire for financial gain. The second act takes place at a ball, where Sally and Jack are reunited and their love is rekindled. However, their happiness is short-lived, as Sally's father discovers their relationship and forbids them from seeing each other. The third act sees Sally and Jack attempting to elope, only to be thwarted by Sally's father and Horace Sellars. In the end, Sally's father relents and allows her to marry Jack, and the operetta concludes with a joyful wedding scene. The Bride Elect was a popular success upon its premiere, and it went on to be performed frequently throughout the early 20th century. Its catchy tunes and romantic storyline made it a favorite of audiences, and it remains a beloved example of Sousa's work as a composer of operettas.

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