The Ballad of Norwich Jail - from 'The Transports' an opera by Peter Bellamy

'The Transports', an opera written by Peter Bellamy, is based on an account of two convicts of the First Fleet, Henry Cabell and Susannah Holmes. Henry Cabell receives a sentence of transportation for fourteen years for the burglary of a country house, while Susannah Holmes, receives a sentence of transportation for an unrelated theft. They are imprisoned for 3 years before being sent to New South Wales. While imprisoned they fall in love and produce a son. Refused permission to marry, Susannah is to be sent alone in the First Fleet to Australia. When Susannah's son is refused passage at quayside a guard takes pity on her and travels with the infant to London to appeal to the home secretary, Lord Sydney. Sydney, affected by the incident, orders that Cabell and Holmes should be reunited, married on English soil, and transported together with their son. They were not married until their arrival in Australia. Cabell eventually becomes a constable in the new colony and enjoys commercial success.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The Transports
• Peter Bellamy
• Norwich Gaol