ABSTRACT
The musical sources are the manuscript score in the British Library and the vocal score published by Cramer, Addison and Beale. An important secondary musical source is the set of parts in the Carl Rosa archive. It is interesting to see, from the material available, what musical characteristics Michael William Balfe introduced to give a dream-like atmosphere to the music. The next of Balfe's operas, the three-act 'grand opera', Catherine Grey, first performed at Drury Lane on 27 May 1837, remains practically unknown. The programme describes The Maid of Artois as 'A New Grand Serious Opera' and gives some prominence, on the first page, to the scenery, dresses, machinery and properties as well as to the choreographer. The short opera Diadeste was written to a libretto by Fitzball, as an extra filler item for the evening's entertainment beginning with The Maid of Artois. Keolanthe was the last in this series of English operas before the landmark opera, The Bohemian Girl.
