Beautiful Princess Available for Rescue
A Fantasy Opera in Two Acts
2003, rev. 2010
Duration: 120 minutes
Librettist: Randall Shinn
Cast: 4 sop, ten, 3 bar
Orchestra: 1.1.2.1, 1.2.0.0, 1 perc, harpsichord, strings
Premiere: Original version, Doña Ana Lyric Opera, New Mexico State University, 2004
Beautiful Princess Available for Rescue is set in a fantasy world. The opera mixes tragedy and comedy, ending happily for most characters. The following synopsis outlines the plot of the 2009 revision.
Synopsis:
Act One
Scene one: In the castle of a monster named Bullstrode, the maid, Polly, complains about taking orders from Bullstrode’s ward Bronwen, who Polly describes as a “psycho witch.” Polly also hates flattering Primrose, the vain Princess whom Bullstrode holds captive. Bronwen enters, furious that a prince she turned into a pig has ruined her daisies. Polly mocks Bronwen’s inability to deal with men, and Bronwen threatens to turn Polly into a pig. Entering, Bullstrode overhears this, and berates Bronwen for frightening Polly. Left alone, Bronwen imagines creating some hidden garden where she could shut out the world. Returning, Bullstrode tells Bronwen he is losing his patience, and that she has to learn to control her temper. After exchanging heated words, Bronwen storms out. Bullstrode reflects on Bronwen’s anger and his own sense of loss since Bronwen's mother died. He has lost hope that Princess Primrose will grow to love him, but he enjoys killing all those who come to rescue her. Listen (1.5MB)
Scene two: In a nearby kingdom, naive Prince Wilbur dreams a young woman calls to him. His older brother Prince Edmund checks the personal ads and sees that a princess is available for rescue. Edmund talks Wilbur into undertaking that quest. Queen Anne hopes that Wilbur will somehow come home safe.
Scene three: Wilbur locates Princess Primrose. She expects him to try to rescued her from Bullstrode. When Wilbur asks why she is being held, she replies that she is “the fairest in the land, the one they fight the wars for.” Listen (3.4MB) After Primrose exits, Polly enters and flirts with Wilbur. Witch Bronwen tries to convince Wilbur to leave because Bullstrode has killed dozens of would-be rescuers already. Wilbur asks Bronwen about her magic, and she confesses that when angry she casts magic spells she can't undo. Primrose and Bronwen argue about whether Wilbur should stay or go. Listen (1MB) Finally Wilbur insists it is his knightly duty to try to rescue Primrose.
Scene four: Primrose shows a bored Wilbur some of the many poems and songs written about her. Primrose retires for the evening when Bronwen arrives. Wilbur finds Bronwen intriguing. Bronwen tells Wilbur she has decided to help him. Wilbur responds that relying on magic would mar his honor. Instead, Bronwen tries to help Wilbur improve his combat skills. Primrose enters, furious that the noise has interrupted her sleep. Listen (1.4MB) As Primrose shows Wilbur to his room, Bronwen debates whether to use her magic without Wilbur's knowledge.
Act Two
Scene one: Wilbur waits to meet Bullstrode in combat, but it appears he won't make it back that day. While Bronwen and Wilbur worry about Wilbur’s fate, Primrose fantasizes about how great she will look on her wedding day. After they exit, Polly complains about the stupidity of men, who may rush in combat, but ignore a willing maiden. Bullstrode finally returns, too late for combat. Primrose tells Bullstrode that Bronwen is helping Wilbur, which is confirmed by Polly. Thinking that Bronwen will use magic against him, Bullstrode decides he must kill her.
Scene two: As she prepares for bed, Bronwen still cannot decide whether to use her magic to help Wilbur. Listen (2.4MB) She falls asleep and Bullstrode enters, determined to kill her. She binds her, tells her he knows she is helping Wilbur, and attempts to kill her with his sword. Forced to defend herself, Bronwen kills Bullstrode with magic. Listen (2.2MB)
Scene three: Wilbur is home, and the castle prepares for a visit from Primrose. Bronwen is there, and she confesses to Queen Gwendolyn that she killed Bullstrode in self defense, and then made it look like he died in his sleep. Bronwen is upset because Primrose expects Wilbur to marry her. Edmund overhears all of this and tells Wilbur that Bronwen killed Bullstrode and then lied about it. Thinking that Bronwen broke her promise about using magic, Wilbur confronts her. This conversation goes badly, and Wilbur believes Bronwen has no feelings for him beyond friendship. Left alone, Bronwen realizes she loves Wilbur. Freed from captivity, Primrose expects Wilbur to propose marriage, but he's not interested. Edmund finds this short-sighted, recognizing the virtues of Primrose's beauty and wealth. There are some final twists before things sort themselves out.