Edward II:   Tableau I:   Pastoral 

1.  LOVE LETTER:   On the death of Edward I, Edward II writes to Gaveston to ask him to return to England to share his kingdom and his love.   This number states the main theme of Tableau I.  First Facebook posting on 3/21/14.

2.  ISABELLA's TEARS:   Queen Isabella intercepts her husband's letter to his lover, Gaveston. This is the main musical theme of the opera.  First posted on 3/29/14.

3.  LOVE'S REPLAY:   Gaveston reads Edward's letter and decides to join him in England.   This number restates the main theme of Tableau I .  First posted on 4/5/14.

4.  LOVE'S RETURN:   Edward welcomes Gaveston  back to England.   First posted on 4/12/14.

 
5.  ARABESQUE:   Edward and Gaveston relax and listen to a troupe of travelling dancers.    First posted on 4/19/14.

6.   CREATION:  Edward makes Gaveston an Earl, and gives him lands and other honours and titles.  Gaveston reacts with humility and appreciation.   First posted 4/26/14.

7.   HEART:  the passion really gets red hot as Edward says:  "Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts Therefore, to equal it, receive my heart."    Gaveston replies:  "I have my wish, in that I joy thy sight;  It shall suffice me to enjoy your love."  First Posted on 5/3/14.   

8.   LOVE'S DART:  the culmination of the love making of Edward and Gaveston.  This is the concluding statement of the main theme of Tableau I . First Posted on 5/9/14.

Note:  All of the texts are from Marlowe's play "Edward II" except for 1. "Love Letter" which is a separate poem entitled "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" and 8. Love's Dart which is Marlowe's translation of Ovid's Elegia II.   In 8. Edward sings the music from "Love Letter" (number 1) and then he is joined by Gaveston, who sings the music from "Love's Reply" (number 3).  A similar melody on melody technique is also found in "Love's Return" (number 4).