Comus (Arne)
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| Comus | |
|---|---|
| Masque by Thomas Arne | |
 1778 portrait of the composer | |
| Librettist | John Dalton |
| Based on | Milton's Comus |
| Premiere | |
Comus is a masque in three acts adapted from John Milton's masque of the same name by John Dalton in 1738. The music there was set by Thomas Arne and helped establish the composer's reputation.
The poet John Dalton adapted Milton's masque of 1634 so as to fit 18th century theatrical conventions and published it in 1738 as Comus, a Mask (Now adapted to the Stage). In particular he considerably extended its musical content by the addition of lyrics from elsewhere in Milton's work, and also some of Dalton's own composition, as well as adding the character Euphrosyne.[1][2] The work was first performed at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 4 March 1738 and after its successful run was performed elsewhere and revived several times.[3]
The music for Comus was Thomas Arne's first major success. The original score is now lost, but a copy made around 1785 does exist.[3][4] Several members of the company were then at the height of their careers and included relations of Arne. Mrs Arne played Sabrina; the Lady was played by his sister Susannah Maria Cibber, while his brother-in-law starred as one of her brothers.
