Eileen is a comic opera in three acts with music by Victor Herbert and lyrics and book by Henry Blossom, based loosely on the 1835 novel Rory O'More by Herbert's grandfather, Samuel Lover. Set in 1798, the story concerns an Irish revolutionary arrested by the British for treason. Eileen, his nobly born sweetheart, helps him to escape by disguising him as a servant.

After two Cleveland performances at the Colonial Theatre on January 1–2, 1917 titled Hearts of Erin, the operetta moved on to Boston, changing its name to Eileen. The show was not revived in New York until the end of the 20th century. In 1982, a single on-book concert performance was given at Manhattan's Town Hall, featuring E. G. Marshall as O'Day, Judy Kaye as Lady Maude and Roderick Cook as Sir Reginald. In 1997, it was produced and recorded by the Ohio Light Opera.

Herbert was eager to write an "Irish" musical to celebrate the land of his ancestors. His score was well received by the critics, but the libretto received some harsh reviews. Alexander Woollcott wrote: "Mr Blossom [must have] gathered his material and atmosphere by reading for quite half an hour in some public library." (New World Records 80733-2, double CD, 2012).

Songs

;Act I

  • Free Trade and a Misty Moon – Shaun Dhu and Smuggler Chorus
  • My Little Irish Rose – Rosie Flynn
  • Ireland, My Sireland – Captain Barry O'Day
  • Finale Act I (Glad, Triumphant Hour) – Entire Company

;Act II

  • Opening Act II (Round) – Female Chorus
  • Too-re-loo-re – Eileen and Chorus
  • Eileen, Alanna Asthore – Barry O'Day
  • If Eve Had Left the Apple on the Bough – Sir "Reggie"
  • I'd Love to be a Lady – Dinny Doyle and Rosie
  • When Love Awakes! – Eileen and Girls
  • Life's a Game at Best – Lady Maude and Colonel Lester
  • Finale – Ensemble

;Act III

  • Opening Act III (In Erin's Isle) – Dinny, Lady Maude and Ensemble
  • Thine Alone – Eileen and Barry O'Day
  • The Irish Have a Great Day Tonight – Dinny and Men
  • When Ireland Stands Among the Nations of the World – Barry O'Day and Ensemble

Notes

References

  • "Eileen Brim Full of Rich Melodies", The New York Times, March 20, 1917, p. 9
  • Information about Scanlan and the show
  • Information about Herbert music