The Bohemian Girl, Michael William Balfe – Opera Plot

Michael William Balfe’s opera The Bohemian Girl

• The Bohemian Girl composed: 1843
• The Bohemian Girl’s first performance: London, Nov. 27, 1843, at Drury Lane
• The Bohemian Girl’s libretto: words by Bunn, adapted from St. George's ballet of The Gypsy, taken from a romance by Cervantes
• The Bohemian Girl’ s setting: Austria
• Grand opera in three acts
• Language: English


The Main Characters of The Bohemian Girl

• Arline, the Count’s daughter (soprano)
• Thaddeus, a proscribed Pole (tenor)
• Gypsy Queen (alto)
• Devilshoof, chief of the Gypsies (bass)
• Count Arnheim, Governor of Presburg (bass)
• Florestein, the Count’s nephew (tenor)
• Buda, Arline’s attendant (soprano)

The story of The Bohemian Girl (plot summary)

Act I of The Bohemian Girl
At the château on the grounds of Count Arnheim, Governor of Presburg, whose retainers are preparing for the hunt. The Count enters with his little daughter Arline and his nephew Florestein. Thaddeus, a Polish exile and fugitive, rushes in excitedly, seeking to escape the Austrian soldiers. A troop of gypsies enter, headed by Devilshoof. Devilshoof hears Thaddeus's story and persuades him to join the gypsies.
Florestein and some of the hunters dash across the grounds in quest of Arline, who has been attacked by a stag. Thaddeus, seizing a rifle, joins them, and rescues the child by killing the animal. The Count overwhelms him with gratitude, and urges him to join in the coming festivities. He consents, and at the banquet produces a commotion by refusing to drink the health of the Emperor. The soldiers are about to rush upon him, when Devilshoof interferes. The gypsy is arrested, and taken into the castle. Thaddeus departs and the festivities are resumed, but are quickly interrupted again by the escape of Devilshoof, who takes Arline with him.

Act II of The Bohemian Girl
Twelve years later. The Count Arnheim has heard nothing from Arline, and has given her up as lost forever. The act opens in the gypsy camp in the suburbs of Presburg. Arline is seen asleep in the tent of the Queen, withThaddeus watching her. They depart in quest of plunder, headed by Devilshoof, and soon find their victim in the person of the foppish and half-drunken Florestein, who is returning
from an evening on the town. They speedily steal his jewelry, among which is a medallion, which is carried off by Devilshoof. As the gypsies disappear, Arline wakes and tells Thaddeus about her dream. Thaddeus tells her the meaning of the scar upon her arm, and reveals himself as her rescuer, but does not disclose to her the mystery of her birth. Thaddeus declares his love for her just as the Queen, who is also in love with Thaddeus, enters. Arline also confesses her love for Thaddeus, and, according to the customs of the tribe, the Queen unites them, at the same time vowing vengeance against the pair.

The scene now changes to a street in the city. A great fair is in progress, and the gypsies are there. Arline enters with the gypsies. They disappear down the street and reappear in the public plaza. Arline, the Queen, Devilshoof, and Thaddeus mingle among the people. An altercation occurs between Arline and Florestein, who has attempted to insult her. The Queen recognizes Florestein as the owner of the medallion, and for her courage in resenting the insult maliciously gives it to Arlin. Shortly afterwards, Florestein sees the medallion on Arline's neck, and has her arrested for theft. The next scene opens in the hall of justice. Count Arnheim enters sadly, as he observes Arline's portrait. Arline is brought before him for trial. As the trial progresses the Count observes the scar upon her arm and asks its cause. She tells the story which Thaddeus had told her, and this solves the mystery. The Count recognizes his daughter.

Act III of The Bohemian Girl
In the salon of Count Arnheim, Arline has been restored to her old position, but she is still in love with Thaddeus. Thaddeus sneaks in to meet with her, with the help of Devilshoof, who accompanies him. He tells her that he still loves her, and she promises to be faithful to him. As the sound of approaching steps is heard, Thaddeus and Devilshoof hide. A large group enters, and Arline is presented to them. During the ceremony a closely veiled woman appears. When questioned, she presents herself as the Gypsy Queen. She reveals the hiding-place of her companions, and Thaddeus is dragged forth and ordered to leave the house. Arline declares her love for him, and her intention to go with him. She begs her father. Thaddeus tell the Count of his noble descent, and boasts his ancestry and deeds in battle. The Count finally lets Arline be with Thaddeus. The Queen, filled with rage and despair, has one of the aims to shoot a gun at Thaddeus as he is embracing Arline; but bullet ricochets and instead hits the Queen, killing her. As the curtain falls, the old song of the gypsies is heard again as they disappear in the distance with Devilshoof leading the way.