THE BOHEMIAN GIRL

The Bohemian Girl is an operetta composed by Michael Balfe with a libretto by Alfred Bunn. The plot is loosely based on a Cervantes tale, La Gitanilla. It was first produced in London in November 1843.

Plot Summary

A Polish noble, Thaddeus, in exile in Austria, joins a band of gypsies. He saves the life of Arline, the infant daughter of Count Arnheim, who invites him to a banquet in gratitude, where Thaddeus is nearly killed for speaking ill of the Austrian Emperor. The gypsies save him and kidnap Arline.

In Act II, twelve years have elapsed. Arline can only vaguely remember her noble upbringing. She and Thaddeus are sweethearts, but the Gypsy Queen is also in love with him. Arnheim's nephew Florenstein falls in love with Arline (not recognising her), but the Queen plants a jewel stolen from Florenstein on Arline. Florenstein recognises the jewel and has her arrested. She is tried before the Count who recognises her. Thaddeus and Arline are reunited, but the Queen plants an assassin outside Arnheim's chateau to kill Thaddeus. The assassination plot is foiled, the bullet accidentally hitting the Queen as she tries to part the lovers and kidnap Thaddeus.

I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls

This is the outstanding song from the operetta. Arline sings it as she describes her very vague memories of her childhood. it has been recorded by many artists, Enya among them.

I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls

With vassals and serfs by my side,

And of all those assembled within those walls

That I was the home and the pride

I had riches too great to count, I could boast

Of high ancestral name

But I also dreamt, which pleased me most,

That you loved me still the same,

That you loved me, still loved me the same,

That you loved me, still loved me the same

I dreamt that suitors sought my hand

That knights on bended knee

And with words that no maiden's heart could withstand

And pledged their faith to me

And I dreamt that one of that noble host

Came forth my hand to claim

But I also dreamt, that charmed me the most

That you loved me still the same

That you loved me, still loved me the same

That you loved me, still loved me the same

Laurel and Hardy film

Laurel and Hardy were in a comic operetta 1936 film version (The Bohemian Girl (1936 film)) directed by James W. Horne and Charley Rogers. It stars the hapless pair as gypsies in the Court of Count Arnheim. The feature marks the last appearance of beautiful "ice cream blonde" Thelma Todd, who died in mysterious circumstances during filming.

An early sound version of the operetta was filmed in Britain in 1927.