• Year of composition: Autumn 1873 (according to Hedwall)
• Work category: Operetta / Comic opera
• Text author: Nils Henrik Pinello (1802-1879) [pen name: Kapten Puff (Captain Puff)] and Johan August von Essen (1815-1873)
• First performed: 28 May, 1875 at the Svenska Teatern (the Swedish Theatre), Helsinki (Finland).
  Performers: Byström’s niece Ida (in the leading female role), et al. Inside the text book there is an inscription in pencil mentioning the name ’Lange’ as Nauclerus [probably referring to Algot Lange (1850-1904)], Apelbom [probably referring to Harald Fredrik Apelbom (1836-1903)] as Herman Wimpel, and [Ida] Byström (1853-1933) as Anna.
  According to Hedwall, Byström was not present at the premiere (nor at the second and last performance on 30 May).
• Duration: Approx. 40-50 min
• Detailed duration: Uncertain

Instrumentation

2*.2.2.2 / 2.1.3*.0 / timp / str
(picc, bass tbn)

Solo voices/choir

Nauclerus, bell-ringer and parish schoolmaster (bass/bass-baritone)
Herman Wimpel, sailor (tenor)
Anna, farmer girl (soprano)

Farmers

Solo voices: 1 soprano (Anna), 1 tenor (Herman Wimpel), 1 bass/bass-baritone (Nauclerus)

Choir: S.S.T.B.

• Location autograph: Musik- och teaterbiblioteket
• Possible call no. and autograph comment: Oscar Byström's archive (score)

Literature

Hedwall, Lennart: Oscar Byström. Ett svenskt musikeröde från 1800-talet (2003) [No. 99 in the publication series of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music]

Description of work

Overture: Lento - Allegro molto F major 4/4 (C)

The plot is set in the archipelago.

The stage represents a lawn with trees. There is also a table with sheets of paper and writing utensils.
Scene no. 1: [No. 1] Nauclerus sits at the table. Farmers (leaving at the end of the scene). Nauclerus, Farmers
Scene no. 2: Nauclerus gets up, returns to the table. Nauclerus
Scene no. 3: [No. 2] Anna has entered, crying with fear. She takes out the tobacco pouch she has had hidden under her apron, placing it on the table. She turns her cheek to Nauclerus so that he may kiss it. She leaves. Anna, Nauclerus
Scene no. 4: Nauclerus alone.
Scene no. 5: [No. 3] Anna re-enters. Nauclerus walks to a table in order to make a note. He gets emotional, sings, while Anna has begun sewing. After the song, Nauclerus sits down at the table, and speaks. He wants to embrace Anna, but decides not to. Anna, Nauclerus
Scene no. 6: [No. 4] Herman Wimpel has entered. Nauclerus solemnly leaves. The above, Wimpel
Scene no. 7: [No. 5] Wimpel looks at Anna med blicken. She sings, then leaves. Anna, Wimpel
Scene no. 8: [No. 6] Wimpel alone. Wimpel
Scene no. 9: Anna enters, bringing food. Anna, Wimpel
Scene no. 10: Nauclerus enters, bringing the probate document. Anna clears the table and leaves. The above, Nauclerus
Scene no. 11: Nauclerus puts on his glasses and reads from the probate. Nauclerus, Wimpel
Scene no. 12: [No. 7] Anna re-enters. Wimpel takes his pipe, opens the tobacco pouch and gives a sheet of paper to Nauclerus. Nauclerus reads, is surprised, hums, sneezes, and continues to read. Anna snatches the testament from Nauclerus and tears it to pieces. Emotional, Wimpel clears his eyes with his sleeve, and takes Anna’s hand. Nauclerus rushes out. The above, Anna
Scene no. 13: [No. 8] Finale. Anna, Wimpel, Nauclerus, Farmers

The end.

---

Work comment

---

Libretto/text