Leo, the Royal Cadet

Last updated
"Leo, the Royal Cadet"
An entirely new and original military opera
Leo the Royal Cadet, Grand Theatre, Kingston Jun 3-5 1915.jpg
Leo the Royal Cadet, The Grand Theatre (Kingston, Ontario) Kingston, Ontario Jun 3-5 1915
Music Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann
Lyrics George Frederick Cameron
Productions1,700 performances from 1889-1925. 1982, 1990, 2010

Leo, the Royal Cadet is a light opera with music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann. The libretto was by George Frederick Cameron. It was composed in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1889. [1] The work centres on Nellie's love for Leo, a cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada who becomes a hero serving during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Empire. The operetta focussed on typical character types, events and concerns of Telgmann and Cameron's time and place.

Contents

Background

The story is loosely based on actual events. The character 'Colonel Hewett' is based on Colonel Edward Osborne Hewett, C.M.G. who served as the first Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada 1875-86. The character of Leo, who leaves his sweetheart Nellie to fight the Zulus in Natal, and other cadets may be based on several early cadets who were decorated for valour. Huntley Brodie Mackay, a Royal Engineer was the first ex-cadet to win a Distinguished Service Order, served in Bechuanaland 1884-9 and as commanding royal engineer in West Africa 1887-9. Mackay fought tribes near Sierra Leone and became an acting administrator of the British East Africa Company. William Henry Robinson, Royal Engineer, the first ex-cadet to be killed in action, died while attempting to blow up the gate of a stockade at Tambi near Sierra Leone. Kenneth J.R. Campbell was the first ex-cadet to be mentioned in despatches for his part in the operation against the town of Brohemie, Niger Coast Protectorate. [2] Sir George Norton Cory participated in operations in Natal, South Africa in 1899 and later edited 'The Diary of Reverend Francis Owen M. A., missionary with Dingaan in 1837-38 together with extracts from the writings of the interpreters in Zulu, Messrs. Hulley and Kirkman'(Cape Town, South Africa: Van Riebeech Society, 1926).

The character Cetcho, a Zulu chief is based on Cetshwayo. The Battalion Sergeant Major character who sings The Royal Cadet - The Battalion Sergeant Major was the senior cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada from 1878–1923 and 1934-42. Since 1952, the senior cadet has been known as a Cadet Wing-Commander. [3]

Performance history

Leo, the Royal Cadet Opera based on Royal Military College of Canada Leo, the Royal Cadet Opera based on Royal Military College of Canada.jpg
Leo, the Royal Cadet Opera based on Royal Military College of Canada
Dramatis Personae, Leo, the Royal Cadet Opera based on Royal Military College of Canada Leo the Royal Cadet Dramatis Personae.jpg
Dramatis Personae, Leo, the Royal Cadet Opera based on Royal Military College of Canada

Musical dramas such as Leo, the Royal Cadet were important entertainment in the 19th century. [4] The work premiered "under the Patronage of the Commandant and Staff, and Gentleman Cadets of the Royal Military College" on 11 July 1889 at Martin's Opera House in Kingston. [5] The opera went on to tour, in Canada and the United States. It played successfully in Kingston, Ottawa, Guelph, Toronto, Woodstock, Ontario and Utica, New York. There were 1,700 performances in the closing years of the 19th Century and as late as 1925. The play was not performed for 75 years. The Toronto Operetta Theatre hired Canadian composer John Greer to revise and orchestrate the piano score and Virginia Reh to revise the libretto. In 1982 excerpts from Leo, the Royal Cadet were performed at Music at Sharon (a summer concert series in Ontario) and in 1990 excerpts were performed in Toronto and Ottawa. Seven excerpts from the work were reprinted in Canadian Musical Heritage Society (CMH), vol 10. [6]

In recent years, the musical play has been performed in Canada, for example by the Toronto Operetta Theatre. For revivals, the opera was shortened from three acts into two and 8 of the 17 characters were eliminated. [7]

Commandant Commodore William S. Truelove (Royal Roads Military College 1985), as Honorary Patron for Toronto Operetta Theatre's Leo, The Royal Cadet, attended on Opening Night with a contingent of cadets and alumni on February 19, 2010. [8]

The synopsis of this version is given below.

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 11 July 1889
(Conductor:)
Leo, a gentleman cadet tenor
Wind, a poettenor
Andy, a dude baritone
Phillip, a soldier
Capt. Bloodswigger, R. M. C.baritone
Colonel Hewett, the Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada [9] baritone
The German professor, R. M. Ctenor
The French professor, R. M. C.tenor
Nellie, Leo's sweetheart soprano
Caroline, a friend of Capt. Bloodswigger mezzo-soprano
Madge, a friend of Wind
The headsman, Ketcho, a Zulu chief bass-baritone

Synopsis (revised two-act version)

The opera is a light-hearted piece about love and war which traces the career of Leo before, during, and after he entered the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. The opera opens with Leo and his beloved Nellie on picnic grounds outside the Royal Military College. Leo is recruited by Captain Bloodswigger to fight with the Zulus in Natal, Africa. Leo is awarded the Victoria Cross for valour. The opera ends with his reunion with his true love, Nellie, on a village green on the St. Lawrence River. [10]

Act 1

The opera opens on the picnic grounds outside the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Queen Victoria’s birthday, May 1878. Leo the Royal Cadet and his sweetheart Nellie are enjoying a picnic party. Captain Wellington Bloodswigger takes the opportunity to recruit officers for the Anglo-Zulu war. Wind, a young poet and composer friend of Leo attends the picnic in pursuit of material for his Faerie Opera. ("I am Wind"). The Ladies led by Nellie, Caroline and Madge, carry their picnic baskets ("We are maidens"). Captain Wellington Bloodswigger introduces the Royal Military College Commandant Hewitt, who introduces the new French and German professors ("The French and German professors") and invites the entire party for a tour of the College. Nellie is concerned by Leo’s plans to join the forces against the Zulus in Africa and regrets she ever listened to his words of love ("Maiden so beautiful/First Love"). The picnic party resumes ("The red sun sinks to sleep") with dances, ("The Rideau") and military hymns ("Glory and Victory"). Leo and Wind decide to serve. The commandant, noting Nellie’s distress decides to woo her for himself ("Ho, ho! My pretty maid"). [11] The commandant decides to rid himself of Leo ("The Initiation") by ordering Captain Bloodswigger to add both Leo and Wind to the next party leaving for the war. The celebrations end with a hymn to pumpkin pie (Farewell O Fragrant Pumpkin Pie) [12] and tender farewells. [13]

Act 2

Scene 1

Leo is with a group of soldiers serving at the British Camp at Isandiwana, January 1879 ("Soldiers and our country’s pride"). He thinks of Nellie ("The days of long ago"). Leo cannot sleep and sounds the bugle upon the impending threat of the Zulus ("The moon is bright/To the field'). The Zulus demand a return of their dear native land ("Now for justice") and battle against the invader ("The Battle').

Scene 2

In the spring of 1879, Nellie and her friends are on the grounds outside the Royal Military College. Nellie is concerned that Leo may have been killed in action (He sleeps the sleep). Caroline consoles her (True love can never alter). They remain faithful and are uninterested in romantic opportunities with Andy and his friends (We are the Dudes). The ladies mock these advances in (Some day!). Leo, Captain Wellington Bloodswigger arrive with Wind (Smile again). Wind who puts on a performance of the Wind's Faerie Opera (Wind’s Faerie Opera). All sing (Glory and Victory) as the curtain falls.

Musical numbers (original three-act version)

[14]

Act 1

Scene 1

An inn in the Village of Dead-and-Alive. As the curtain rises, Gaspard, Bloodswigger, Leo, Quip, el al, are discovered about the table.

Scene 2

The Village Green. Farewell picnic to Leo

Act 2

Scene 1

The Gates of R. M. C, Kingston. Commandant and Students enter and face Leo

Scene 2

The R. M. C. Court. The Court of the Bulldogs in full session. White sheets, masks with bulldog faces, headsman and axe, etc. Wind in night shirt, bound etc.

Act 3

Outside the gates of R.M.C.

Scene 1

The R.M.C

Scene 2

Three months later, Isamdula. The British tents by moonlight in the distance.

Scene 3

Zululand, near Isamdula. Night. Enter Cetcho and Zulu warriors.

Scene 4

The village green in Dead and Alive. Nellie discovered sitting on a mound.

Recordings

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Military College of Canada</span> Military college in Kingston, Ontario, Canada

The Royal Military College of Canada, abbreviated in English as RMC and in French as CMR, is a military academy and, since 1959, a degree-granting university of the Canadian Armed Forces. It was established in 1874 and conducted its first classes on June 1, 1876. Presently, it is the only federal institution in Canada with degree-granting powers; the Government of Ontario empowered RMC to confer degrees in the arts, science, and engineering through The Royal Military College of Canada Degrees Act, 1959. Programs are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels, both on campus as well as through the college's distance learning programme via the Division of Continuing Studies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comic opera</span> Sung drama of a light or comedic nature

Comic opera, sometimes known as light opera, is a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending and often including spoken dialogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Military College Saint-Jean</span> Canadian military college

The Royal Military College Saint-Jean, commonly referred to as RMC Saint-Jean and CMR, is a Canadian military college and university. It is located on the historical site of Fort Saint-Jean, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, 40 km south of Montreal. RMC Saint-Jean is an arm of the Canadian Military College (CMC) system that provides two college-level programs in Social Science and Science, which are closely integrated with the undergraduate programs offered by the Royal Military College of Canada. RMC Saint-Jean was granted independent university status in 2021, and it currently offers a bachelor's degree in International Studies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Military College Paladins</span>

The RMC Paladins are the athletic teams that represent Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Its facilities include the Kingston Military Community Sport Centre (KMCSC) with seating for 3737, the Navy Bay fields with seating for 800 and Constantine Arena with seating for 1500 and the Birchall Pavilion.

Colin William George Gibson, was a Canadian politician, land surveyor and lawyer.

Precision is the authorized march of Royal Military College of Canada. The RMC band performs Precision during parades and march pasts, as well as on Ex-Cadet Weekends.

The Navy League Wrennette Corps was formed by the Navy League of Canada in 1950 as a cadet organisation for girls to complement the Navy League Cadet Corps of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Frederick (Kingston, Ontario)</span> UNESCO World Heritage Site

Fort Frederick is a historic military building located on Point Frederick on the grounds of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Its construction dates to 1846 and the Oregon boundary dispute. The fort consists of earthworks surrounding a Martello tower. Fort Frederick is included in two separate National Historic Sites of Canada: Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site and the Point Frederick Buildings National Historic Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas Gordon Cunningham</span>

Brigadier General Douglas Gordon Cunningham, was a Canadian lawyer and soldier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pumpkin pie</span> Dessert

Pumpkin pie is a dessert pie with a spiced, pumpkin-based custard filling. The pumpkin and pumpkin pie are both a symbol of harvest time, and pumpkin pie is generally eaten during the fall and early winter. In the United States and Canada it is usually prepared for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other occasions when pumpkin is in season.

Colonel Edward Thornton Taylor was a Canadian soldier. He was the first Canadian born Commandant of the RMC. He was the first Commandant who was a graduate of the Royal Military College. He introduced ice hockey to Kingston, Ontario as an RMC student in 1877.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Francis Constantine</span>

Major-General Charles Francis Constantine was a Canadian General and commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada from 1925 to 1930.

Commodore William Prine Hayes CD, ADC was a Canadian Commodore and educator. He served as the Commandant at Royal Military College of Canada from 1967 to 1969. He served as the Commandant at the Royal Roads Military College.

Major General Cameron Bethel Ware, DSO, CD, was a Major General in the Canadian Forces. He joined the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment on graduation from RMC in Kingston, Ontario in 1935.

Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann was a German-Canadian composer of operettas, conductor and educator, and violinist best known for his operetta Leo, the Royal Cadet.

George Frederick Cameron was a Canadian poet, lawyer, and journalist, best known for the libretto for the operetta Leo, the Royal Cadet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Currie Hall</span> Hall at the Royal Military College of Canada

Currie Hall is a hall within the Currie Building, which is an annex to the Mackenzie Building at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. It was built in 1922, and is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Military College of Canada chapels</span> Church in Ontario, Canada

In 2013, the Royal Military College of Canada is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the two small devotional chapels in Yeo Hall, which were installed in 1963. With a view to encourage and enhance their spiritual well-being, the Protestant and Royal Catholic Chaplains, cadets and staff use the Chapels. Gifts to the chapels have been made by successive generations of cadets and ex-cadets.

The Royal Military College of Canada Christmas ball is an annual Black Tie event that occurs around the third Saturday in November in order to provide a social setting for Officer Cadets (OCdts) to practice their formal dining in skills. The event is split into two phases: a formal sit-down dinner and a more relaxed party, which allows cadets a final chance to relax before exams start.

References

  1. ↑ George Frederick Cameron
  2. ↑ Richard A. Preston 'Canada's R.M.C. A History of the Royal Military College' 1969.
  3. ↑ Richard Preston "Canada's R.M.C. A History of the Royal Military College"
  4. ↑ Canadian Encyclopedia of Music
  5. ↑ Grand Theatre, Kingston
  6. ↑ Opera and Operetta Excerpts I, ed Dorith Cooper, 1991 Canadian Musical Heritage Society
  7. ↑ Jaggroup.ca site performance history
  8. ↑ Leo the Royal Cadets
  9. ↑ Canadian Encyclopedia
  10. ↑ Leo, the Royal Cadet synopsis
  11. ↑ Ho, ho! My pretty maid, Cliffordfordpublications.ca
  12. ↑ Farewell, O Fragrant Pumpkin Pie, Cliffordfordpublications.ca
  13. ↑ Leo, the Royal Cadet synopsis
  14. ↑ Opera and Operetta Excerpts: Leo, the Royal Cadet, Cliffordfordpublications.ca
  15. ↑ Farewell O Fragrant Pumpkin Pie, Cliffordfordpublications.ca
  16. ↑ Opera and Operetta Excerpts: Leo, the Royal Cadet - I Met him in the Far-Away, Cliffordfordpublications.ca
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.