Valentine is a comic opera in two acts with lyrics by Arthur Davenport and music by Napoleon Lambelet . It was produced at St. James' Theatre, London, 24 January 1918 and ran for 87 performances.

The late King of Milcannia left three sets of twins, all girls, and the imminent birth of yet another child. Citizen Dulacq threatens a revolution if a woman inherits the throne, so everything hangs on the sex of the unborn child. The child turns out to be another girl, but the Regent, Gastricus, and his wife Pomona, in order to save the country, announce the birth of a boy, Prince Valentine. And so, Valentine is brought up believing “himself” to be a boy, and, now, on “his” 17th birthday is ready for the coronation. However, Diana, the Amazon Queen of neighbouring Vimbos, invades Milcannia and insists on a marriage with Valentine to merge their two kingdoms. Accompanied by Dulacq’s son, Gaston, and by Caressa, a maid in waiting, Valentine escapes to the mountains but is captured by Queen Diana – who discovers the truth and returns home in disappointment. Meantime Gaston and Valentine have, of course, fallen in love, and so the people of Milcannia welcome Gaston as King Consort and Valentine as Queen.

Dramatis Personæ

MIDI Files

ACT I  -  Scene 1   -   The Market Place   -   Yesterday afternoon.

• No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "Though simple souls and city folk but very rarely meet, today both plain and pretty folk are out to have a treat..."
• No. 2 - Duet - Carressa and Pertino, with Chorus - "When an English girl gets wed, she's up in the early morning, with ribbons and lace all over the place..."
• Nos. 3 & 4 - Chorus, and Song - Valentine - "Let us cheer, let us shout!  For although we don't know what we're shouting about, let us cheer, let us shout! ..."
• No. 5 - Waltz-Song - Gaston and Chorus - "The moon has the tide to attend her, the sun draws the mist from the sea;  the dew seeks the rose in her splendour..."
• No. 6 - Trio - Valentine, Carressa and Gaston - "When a nice girls wants caressing, it's a chance no man should miss ... Well, I know it sounds distressing..."
• No. 7 - Song - Pertino - "When there's trouble about, there is very little doubt what's the brainy sort of thing to do:  Vanish softly away with the minimum delay..."
• No. 8 - Song - Diana and Amazons - "There's a country that we hail from ... Flada-rada-rad tzing bom! ... That we've banished ev'ry male from ..."
• No. 9 - Song - Duke - "Of all the known specifics that appease in tribulation, the chemist's shop comes out on top in any situation. No matter what the obstacles..."

ACT I  -  Scene 2   -   The Amber Ante-room   -   Yesterday evening.

• No. 10 - Finale Act I - "The ancient Greeks in days of yore assembled round the bridal door, to sing of wedded bliss to come in sweet Epithalamium..."

ACT II  -  Scene 1   -   Broquello's Hut in the Mountains   -   Last night.

• No. 10a - Intermezzo - "Storm"
• No. 11 - Mountaineers' Glee - "Old Farmer Gregory had a billy goat, and a giddy, giddy goat was he, was he!  With a long, strong beard, and a very shaggy coat..."
• No. 12 - Song - Valentine - "When the big June moon is shining, where the turf lies crisp and sweet, all the Little Folk combining tread a dance on tiny feet..."
• No. 13 - Ballad - Gaston - "A knight there was of Arthur's days who rode afield thro' barren ways - Derry down!  His helmet bore a lady's glove to show the world..."
• No. 14 - Song - Duke - "There are lots of queer spots where it's not safe to go - down Vesuvius or up the North Pole;  but fellows by scores that we all of us know..."

ACT II  -  Scene 2   -   The Royal Rose Garden of Lonestone Castle   -   Today.

• No. 15 - Opening Chorus - "It's up to us and ev'ry one beneath the bright and festive sun to hail the Coronation Day with beaming smiles and dresses gay..."
• No. 16 - Butterfly Ballet
• No. 17 - Song - Carressa - "When I was just as high as that, I had a Persian pussy cat; a little thing just like a muff, all fluff!   And oh, I used to love it so..."
• No. 18 - Song - Duke and Chorus - (spoken:) "Little forms I've always found help to make the world go round..." etc., then: "It's the form of the thing that matters..."
• No. 19 - Song - Diana - "Love wooed me when the world was young, pleading with tear-bright lashes;  coldly I turned with heart unwrung, no need for love had I..."
• No. 20 - Solo and Duet - Valentine and Gaston - "Long was the night 'neath the stars' cold light; dark was the sky ere the night was done; now doubts are ended..."
• No. 21 - Finale Act II - "Somewhere now she is dainty and sweet ... she's dainty and sweet ... somewhere the sun shines on each pretty curl..."

 MIDI files

British Musical Theatre

Page modified 29 May 2017