Mexicana is described as a "Mexican Comic Opera." The book and lyrics are by Clara Driscoll and Robert B. Smith and the music by Raymond Hubbell. It was produced at the Lyric Theatre, New York on 29 January 1906.

Dramatis Personæ

MIDI Files

ACT I - The Market Square of a Mexican Town.   Early morning.

• No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "Day break and all is well.  The city wakes and doffs its sleeping spell.  Night is dying, day is hieing, mystic shadows fleet away..."
• No. 2 - Song - Captain Carmona and Chorus - "It's customary in a man of my exalted station to tell to you just who he is and what, but I will entertain you..."
• No. 3 - Song - Rodrigo - "When the cause you espouse needs your aid, and there's powder and smoke in the air, you must give up your work-a-day trade..."
• No. 4 - Duet - Marguerita and Rodrigo - "When you came ev'ry night and lingered long beneath my lattice, had you no love at all for me? ..."
• No. 5a - Scene - Juan and Tita - "Tita!  Tita!  Hark to the voice of your lover, waiting and longing for you.  Long tho' the days may be, promise you'll wait for me..."
• No. 5b - Song - Tita - "On the gabled top of a village shop dwelt a gilded weather vane; in the simple minds of the simple winds she was anything but plain..."
• No. 6 - Entrance of Johnny Rocks, and Song - "Why, goodness gracious sakes alive!  The Yankee's going to arrive.  Come, hurry! one and all prepare..."
• No. 7 - Trio - Johnny Rocks, Tita and Captain Carmona - "What is it that the poorer class can feel but never see? ... It isn't money, is it? ... Not at all! ..."
• No. 8 - Finale Act I - "What now!  What means this awful row?  The Captain, my Captain!  I'm just in time I vow.  Release him knaves, straightway..."

ACT II - The Patio of the Hacienda of Rodrigo Cortinez. Noon of the next day.

• Nos. 9 & 10 - Chorus, and Song - Juan - "Of course this is very elusive, but nobody seems to rejoice..."  &  "There's a sorry sailor story of the days gone by..."
• No. 11 - Duet - Johnny Rocks and Tita - "I want you to correct me ... I'll do the best I can ... See that you don't neglect me ... I'm not that sort of man ..."
• No. 12 - Song - Inez and Girls - "Chapter one:- Lord Alfred Winner meets Miss Genevieve Kildare.  He is tall and dark and handsome, she's an heiress..."
• No. 13 - Song - Tita and Chorus - "There once was a military maid ... With epaulet? ... And golden braid. ... Who led to the front a bold brigade..."
• No. 14 - Duet - Tita and Rodrigo - "Long before I saw you, from stories brought to me, I always knew somehow that you were my affinity..."
• No. 15 - Finale Act II - "Hush!  Hush!  Remember, not a sound!  And here let ev'ry maid and man discuss our bold rebellious plan, for on rebellion we are bound."

ACT III - The Borda Gardens on the Night of a Fiesta.

• No. 16 - Opening Chorus - "In gorgeous holiday attire, we venture here to celebrate the all important gala date of a merry making fete..."
• No. 17 - Bolero - Marguerita, Johnny Rocks and Chorus - "When the stars are shining bright above you, you hear your lover humming his tune from afar..."
• No. 18 - Duet - Tita and Rodrigo - "Suppose I come home very cross and order you about;  suppose I say that I am boss, and tell you to get out ..."
• No. 19 - Finale Act III - "He is the wizard of Wall Street, people say.  He certainly has them all beat ev'ry way."

 MIDI files

External Link

Vocal Score at IMSLP

American Musical Theatre

Page modified 23 January 2017