AustLit

Subtitled 'An Original Comic Opera in Three Acts' the first (and perhaps only) staging of Fayette was in Brisbane in 1892 when it was presented at a benefit for its composer G. B. Allen. With a cast of principal singers numbering almost twenty, and a chorus of forty, the rehearsals began well over a month prior to its premiere. Such a long pre-production period (unusual for an essentially amateur production) had been forced upon it after the initial performance date was cancelled due to wild Queensland storms. The extra time afforded its cast and musicians is perhaps one reason for the largely positive reviews of the production. The musicians were also said to be the best available in Brisbane at the time.

The songs known to have been composed for the opera are: 'In Such an Hour' (duet), 'If this it is to Dream' (aria) and 'We are Spendthrift Prodigals.' One particular criticism of the musical score, however, was the 'great absence of chorus singing.' The Brisbane Courier review records, for example : 'The music as a whole is bright, sparkling and attractive... it needs the finishing stroke of the master's hand here and there, particularly as regards the orchestration, which is palpably weak in many places' (24 Mar. 1892, p5). With regard to the libretto, the same critic records : 'the scenes portrayed are purely Australian and for that reason it appeals to the sympathies of all colonial audiences; but it may fairly be asked whether it was worth while to include in it colloquialisms which do not redound to the credit of our country... [however], both libretto and music are a credit alike to the authors and to the colony with which they are associated' (p5).

A professional production was to be staged in Sydney at the Opera House from the 17th February 1900. The season was cancelled, however, apparently due to the sudden and serious indisposition of leading man Howard Vernon (the production and cast details as published prior to the cancellation are presented below ).