MARTHA - ACT IV finale

From the Bel Canto Opera production, Lady Harriet reverts to playing the humble housemaid Martha to finally win over Lionel's heart, and saucy Nancy captivates Plunkett, which assures a happy ending to the opera, set in England c. 1710.
NANCY: Everyone, get to your post.
Begin the fun! Here comes your host!
MAIDS: I can mow, Sir, I can hoe, Sir,
I can dust and sweep and shear a sheep
I can mow and reap on little sleep
and earn my keep with ease!
Yes, I can dig and plough and milk a cow,
And stitch and darn and clean the barn,
And make and bake a chocolate cake,
And do most anything to please!
FARMERS & WIVES: Let us see, then, We'll agree then,
If you do your work and never shirk,
If you mow and sow and rake and hoe,
Then back you'll go with me!
PLUNKETT: Quick! Come on! The fair has started
Join the fun! Do be light-hearted!
LIONEL: Why these people?
PLUNKETT: Maids for hire.
See...there's one, and here's another.
(he brings Martha forward)
Miss, Come forward!
What can you do?
LIONEL: Martha! Martha! It is you!
LADY HARRIET: I'll do whatever my lord will say, Sir.
If he will claim me, then I'll obey, Sir.
I have a contract, seven guineas yearly.
I love him dearly!
Pray he'll renew my bond from year to year.
LIONEL: Ah! Martha, dear, you're back at last!
PLUNKETT: (to Nancy) Now, Miss Snooty,
What use are you?
NANCY: I am witty, I am saucy...
PLUNKETT: And you're pretty bold and bossy!
NANCY: Never mind, my friend,
In time, my friend,
You'll find the kind of thing I do!
PLUNKETT: Right! What's this all about?
NANCY: Tonight! That's when you'll find out!
PLUNKETT: You're a minx, you know that Nancy,
But methinks it's you I fancy!
LADY HARRIET: When winter is over,
And cloudless skies are blue...
LIONEL: Lush meadows of clover,
Prove that life begins anew.
LADY HARRIET & LIONEL:
Love burgeons like blossoms,
Hope eternal perfumes the air...
ALL: And the first rose of summer,
Marks the end of despair,
Come love, ever after,
Broken hearts shall repair,
Shall all hearts repair!
words © Tom Boyd

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[hughdrover]

@mogaduff This Bel Canto Opera production of Martha was performed in Cheltenham, Glos. in 2002

[mogaduff]

hughdrover- I love these clips. Can you tell me when this was performed? Thank you.