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The Agreeable Surprise
''The Agreeable Surprise'' is a 1781 comic opera in two acts, with music composed by Samuel Arnold (composer), Samuel Arnold and the libretto by John O'Keeffe (Irish writer), John O'Keeffe. It was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket (London), on 3 September 1781. It was one of the most performed comic operas in London in the last quarter of the 18th century. Plot Wealthy Sir Felix Friendly has a son, Eugene. His poor friend Compton has a daughter, Laura. The two fathers have contrived with each other to switch their children, so that Eugene has been raised without wealth by Compton, and Laura has been raised with wealth as Sir Felix’s adopted orphan. The two children are not aware of the truth of their parentage. Compton is a privateer, and is also financially supported by wealthy Sir Felix. Sir Felix thinks that this arrangement has benefitted Eugene and Laura: Eugene has learned modesty by growing up while imagining himself worthless, and he has avoided the f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John O'Keeffe (writer)
John O'Keeffe (24 June 1747 – 4 February 1833) was an Irish actor and dramatist. He wrote a number of farces, amusing dramatic pieces and librettos for pasticcio operas, many of which had great success. Among these are '' Tony Lumpkin in Town'' (1778), ''Love in a Camp'' (1786), and ''Omai'' (1785), an account of the voyages of the Tahitian explorer Omai, and '' Wild Oats'' (1791). Early life O'Keeffe was born in Abbey Street, Dublin in 1747 to Roman Catholic parents and was educated by the Jesuits. His father was from King's County and his mother (née O'Connor) from County Wexford. After showing a talent for drawing he studied art at an academy in Dublin, but grew increasingly more interested in the theatre. After a two-year period in London, where he became an admirer of David Garrick, he settled on a career as an actor and playwright. O'Keeffe wrote his first play ''The She Gallant'' when he was twenty, and it was performed in Dublin at the Smock Alley Theatre. In Cork, in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
