Flotow's best claim to distinction lies in this opera of "Martha." He was not a special favourite nor a genius, but in "Martha" he turned out a number of fascinating tunes of a humable sort. One of them has been adapted to sacred words, and is much used in churches, but for the most part "Martha" is made of a series of jiggy choruses. Berlioz, who especially hated Flotow, declared that the "introduction of the Irish melody ('Last Rose of Summer') served to disinfect the rottenness of the Martha music." Flotow was born April 27, 1812. Died January 24, 1883. MARTHA CHARACTERS OF THE OPERA WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST AS PRESENTED AT THE FIRST PERFORMANCE Lady Harriet Anna Zerr Nancy Therese Schwarz Lionel Joseph Erl Plunkett Carl Formes Sheriff of Richmond, three servants of Lady Harriet, three maid servants. Chorus of ladies, servants, farmers, hunters and huntresses, pages, etc. The story is enacted in England during Queen Anne's reign. First sung at Vienna Court Opera, November 25, 1847. Composer: Friedrich Freiherr von Flotow. Author: W. Friedrich (F.W. Riese). ACT I One morning during fair time in Richmond the Lady Harriet, maid of honour to her Majesty Queen Anne, was sitting in her boudoir at her toilet table. She and all her maids and women friends who were attending at her toilet were bored to death. "Did any one ever know such a stupid, dismal life as we are leading?" they declared. "In heaven's name, why doesn't some one think of something to do that will vary the monotony of this routine existence? We rise in the morning, make a toilet, go to her Majesty, make a toilet, breakfast, read to her Majesty, make a toilet, dine, walk with her Majesty, sup, unmake a toilet and go to bed! Of all the awful existences I really believe ours has become the most so." "It is as you say, but we cannot improve matters by groaning about it. Lady Harriet, Sir Tristram has sent you some flowers," Nancy, Lady Harriet's favourite, cried, handing them to her ladyship. "Well, do you call that something new? because I don't! Why doesn't the cook send me some flowers--or maybe the hostler--somebody, something new? Take them out of my sight--and Sir Tristram with them, in case he appears." "Look at these diamonds: they sparkle like morning showers on the flowers. The sight of them is enough to please any one!" "It is not enough to please me," Lady Harriet declared petulantly, determined to be pleased with nothing. "Who is that? There is some one who wishes an audience with me! I'll see no one." "Ah," a man's voice announced from the curtains, "but I have come to tell you of something new, Lady Harriet!" "You? Sir Tristram? Is there anything new under the sun? If you really have something to suggest that is worth hearing, you may come in." "Listen, ladies! and tell me if I haven't conceived a clever thought. The fair is on at Richmond----" "Well--it is always on, isn't it?"