Category: Opera / Vocal Music / Piano
Instrumentation: voice, piano
Duration: approximately 2 minutes
Text / Source: Act I, Scene I of Lily, an opera; inspired by the painting The Date Seller by Edwin Longsden Long

The Date Seller is a short song from Act I, Scene I of Garth Baxter’s opera Lily. It appears in the opening section of the scene as part of a series of tableaux vivants and is sung by the character Marie-Lucette Fabienne while she portrays Edwin Longsden Long’s painting The Date Seller. The piano part is an arrangement of the orchestral score.

The work functions both as an operatic excerpt and as a concise vocal piece with piano. In its dramatic context, the song contributes to the visual and theatrical world of Lily, linking music, character, and staged image. As a separate excerpt, it can also be presented in recital as a brief, characterful operatic song.

Musically, The Date Seller is simple and folk-like, shaped to suit the staged tableau and the character’s portrayal of the painting. Its direct melodic quality gives the scene warmth and clarity, while Baxter’s arrangement for voice and piano makes the excerpt practical for rehearsal, recital, or semi-staged performance.

The Date Seller is suitable for opera scenes programs, vocal recitals, contemporary opera presentations, and programs exploring music connected to visual art or theatrical imagery. Its brevity, clear dramatic purpose, and folk-like character make it an effective excerpt for singers seeking a compact piece with both narrative and visual context.