Valley of Song: A Musical Romance
Music by Ivor Novello. Lyrics by Christopher Hassall. Book by Phil Park. Music Adapted and Arranged and Additional Material Composed by Ronald Hanmer.
Music by Ivor Novello. Lyrics by Christopher Hassall. Book by Phil Park. Music Adapted and Arranged and Additional Material Composed by Ronald Hanmer.
Valley of Song is a poignant musical that explores love and sacrifice in a Welsh valley on the eve of the First World War, as a choirmaster grapples with his feelings for a soprano who is torn between her aspirations and her heart.
About The Play
About The Play
Part of the Finborough Theatre’s
Celebrating British Music Theatre and THEGREATWAR100 series’
The Finborough Theatre’s acclaimed Celebrating British Music Theatre series returns with Ivor Novello’s very last musical, Valley of Song, playing a week of Sunday and Monday evening and Tuesday matinee performances from Sunday, 5 January 2014, followed by a two week run from Sunday, 12 January 2014.
Left unfinished at the time of his sudden death, and completed by his longtime collaborator Christopher Hassall, Valley of Song is a unique – and final – opportunity to see a world premiere of Novello’s work upon the stage.
Set in a world of optimism on the eve of the Great War, Valley of Song is a homage to Wales – Novello’s homeland – and a touching farewell to the music of his youth.
The Welsh Valleys, 1913. Nan Brewster is the largest landowner in the valley and supports the local valley choir, run by choirmaster David. David’s love for Lily, his leading soprano, creates beautiful music for the choir. But when Lily is given an opportunity to sing in Venice, she jumps at the chance, and into the arms of Ricardo, a wealthy count set on making her an international star. But, by opening night, it becomes clear that Ricardo’s intentions are not entirely honourable… As Europe is plunged into the First World War, how much is David willing to sacrifice for the woman he loves?