Beyond Blodwen: Opera and Society in Wales, 1878-1928

Abstract

It has long been believed that Joseph Parry’s Blodwen (1878) is the first and only Welsh opera in existence until modern times. This research refutes that claim by uncovering over forty forgotten and previously unstudied operas by Welsh composers in the fifty years following Blodwen (1878-1928). Welsh operas were therefore more commonplace than believed to be the case. The discovery of these operas changes our current perception of musical life and attitude towards opera in Wales in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The first part of the thesis examines the role of opera in Welsh society. This includes the development of its musical infrastructure, societal constraints and increasing acceptance of Welsh opera amongst audiences and critics alike, as well as the importance of Joseph Parry’s touring Welsh National Opera Company. The second part contains critical and musical analyses of a selection of rediscovered operas. Not only do the analyses provide a means of musical comparison to other contemporary works outside of Wales, they also provide a glimpse of popular culture and formation of a Welsh national identity in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Ultimately, this thesis aims to dispel the myth that Blodwen was Wales’ only Welsh opera, giving us a better understanding of musical life in Wales during this period by looking at rediscovered works in their contemporary context.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Sponsors	North America Wales Foundation & Women's Welsh Clubs of America
Supervisor	Pwyll Ap Sion (Supervisor) & Stephen Rees (Supervisor)