Verbum Nobile

VERBUM NOBILE by Stanislaw Moniuszko The opera deals with two friends, landed gentry who give a solemn oath to marry off their children when they come of age. When the time comes the young couple have other ideas which leads to a confrontation between the fathers. This charming and tuneful one-Act comic opera set in 18th century Poland is performed in sets and costume to piano accompaniment by 5 principals - the young lady (soprano), her lover, his servant/companion and the two fathers, baritones and bass-baritones all and a 4-8 member chorus.

The premiere of Verbum Nobile took place on January 1, 1861 and was very well received by the press and the public. The opera is a charming and unpretentious picture of old-Polish customs - especially the much abused "nobleman's word" (hence the title) -- shown with a good-natured satirical smile.