''The Canterbury Pilgrims'' is an opera by the American composer

Reginald De Koven Henry Louis Reginald De Koven (April 3, 1859January 16, 1920) was an American music critic and prolific composer, particularly of comic operas. Biography De Koven was born in Middletown, Connecticut, and moved to Europe in 1870, where he receive ...

. It premiered at the Metropolitan Opera House on March 8, 1917 just as the US was on the verge of declaring war on Germany. The unfolding world events caused its cancellation after just five performances. The libretto, written by

Percy MacKaye Percy MacKaye (1875–1956) was an American dramatist and poet. Biography MacKaye was born in New York City into a theatrical family. His father, Steele MacKaye, was a popular actor, playwright, and producer, while his mother, Mary, wrote a dra ...

, is loosely based on Geoffrey Chaucer's '' The Canterbury Tales''.

Roles

Synopsis

Place: England. Time: April, 1387.The synopsis is taken from Leo Melitz, The Opera Goer's Complete Guide, 1921 version. The story has to do with the merry schemes of the Wife of Bath, who has fallen in love with

Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer (; – 25 October 1400) was an English poet, author, and civil servant best known for '' The Canterbury Tales''. He has been called the "father of English literature", or, alternatively, the "father of English poetry". He w ...

who in his turn loves the Prioress, and of her winning of a bet to gain possession of a certain brooch which carries with it Chaucer's promise of marriage. He is finally rescued by Richard II who decides that the Wife may marry a sixth time only on condition that she marry a miller. A devoted miller joyfully accepts the opportunity and the Prioress and Chaucer are reconciled.

Notes

References

*''The Opera Goer's Complete Guide'' by Leo Melitz, 1921 version. *''The Complete Opera Book'' by Gustav Kobbé, 1919 version.

External links

LibrettoVocal Score
{{DEFAULTSORT:Canterbury Pilgrims, The Operas 1917 operas English-language operas Opera world premieres at the Metropolitan Opera Operas set in England Operas based on novels Works based on The Canterbury Tales Operas by Reginald De Koven