The first performance of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's third opera, The Sorcerer, occurred at the Opera Comique on 17 November 1877. It marked their second collaboration for Richard D'Oyly Carte and was the first full-length piece they wrote for him.

Cast of Characters

Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, an Elderly baronet (bass baritone)

Alexis, of the Grenadier Guards, his son (tenor)

Dr. Daly, Vicar of Ploverleigh (baritone)

Notary (bass)

John Wellington Wells, of J. W. Wells & Co. Family Sorcerers (baritone)

Lady Sangazure, a Lady of Ancient Lineage (contralto)

Aline, her Daughter, betrothed to Alexis (soprano)

Mrs. Partlet, a Pew Opener (contralto)

Constance, her Daughter (mezzo-soprano)

Chorus of villagers

Act One

The opera opens in the grounds of Sir Marmaduke's mansion as the villagers are preparing for the celebration of Alexis's betrothal to Aline. The men leave the stage after the opening chorus.

Mrs. Partlet enters with her daughter, Constance, who is unhappy as she is in love with the vicar and does not know how to tell him. When Dr. Daly, the vicar, arrives Mrs. Partlet tries to broach him on the subject of marriage but he does not understand that her daughter loves him. The vicar fears that it is too late for him to marry and that he will always be a bachelor.

The ladies leave the vicar alone and when Sir Marmaduke and his son arrive, he greets them. When Dr Daly leaves, Alexis and his father discuss the forthcoming ceremony a marriage, which meets with the baronet's approval. However, he is not happy with Alexis's enthusiasm for the marriage, which Sir Marmaduke deems unseemly. Sir Marmaduke admits to loving Aline's mother when they were younger but he did so without the show of emotion evident in his son.

As the two men withdraw, Aline enters accompanied by the female villagers. Having sung of her love, her mother joins her. Lady Sangazure's greeting is tinged with sadness but for herself not her daughter.

Alexis, his father and the men of the village, soon join the women. While Alexis an Aline greet each other with a show of love their parents greetings are formal. However, in their asides to the audience they both reveal a passionate love for each other.

A notary arrives with the marriage contract, which Alexis and Aline duly sign. Then everyone leaves the young couple alone.

Alexis confides to Aline that he wishes the entire village to feel the kind of love that the two of them share. To this end, he has employed John Wellington Wells,

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