About the work
Opéra comique in three acts by François-André Danican Philidor after Henry Fielding's novel Tom Jones (1749), first performed on 27 February 1765 at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris. The original version, to a libretto by Antoine-Alexandre-Henri Poinsinet, was a failure; only a thorough revision by Michel-Jean Sedaine, premiered on 30 January 1766, became a success.
Plot
The foundling Tom Jones loves Sophie, whose father Western instead wants her to marry the seemingly rightful heir Blifil. Only when it emerges at the end that Tom is in fact the natural nephew of the squire Allworthy does nothing stand in the way of the lovers' union.
Cultural significance
In its revised form, Tom Jones became one of the most widely performed comic operas of the late 18th century, receiving 124 performances at the Comédie-Italienne alone between 1771 and 1780; it was translated into German, Swedish and Russian.