User:Sparafucil/Cinq-Mars

Cinq-Mars is an opera in four acts by Charles Gounod to a libretto by Paul Poirson & Louis Gallet looosly adapted from Alfred de Vigny's historical novel. It was first performed at the Opéra-Comique on April 5, 1877.

The plot faithfully follows the external events of failed revolt of the French nobility against Richelieu's consolidation of power, but supplies a secret love affair between Cinq-Mars and a princess. Whereas de Vigny's character yearned to become her social equal, the opera's hero enters politics only on learning of a planned marriage between Marie and the king of Poland. After the conspiracy is discovered, she is given a chance to save him by agreeing to the match, but her sacrifice is in vain: before their escape plans can be put into effect, the hour of execution is suddenly moved forward.

The work work's reception was luke warm: "If [it] adds nothing to the glory of Gounod, neither does it diminish it." Some critic seized on the straddling of the genres of grand opéra and opéra comique; a second edition (Léon Grus, n.d.) contains recitatives for the very few spoken scenes as well as an act III cantabile for de Thou written for the La Scala production.

Roles

Role	Voice type	Premiere Cast, April 5, 1877 (Conductor: - )
Le Marquis de Cinq-Mars	1re. ténor d'opéra	Dereims
Le Conseiller de Thou	1re. baryton	Stéphanne
Père Joseph, an emissary of Cardinal Richelieu	1re.basse	Giraudet
Le Vicompte de Fontrailles	1re. baryton d'opéra comique	Barré
Le Roi (Louis XIII of France)	basse chantant	Maris
Chancellor	basse	Bernard
De Montmort	ténor	Lefèvre
De Montrésor	basse	Teste
De Brienne	baryton	Collin
De Monglat	ténor	Chenevière
De Château-Giron	baryton	Villars
Eustache, a spy	basse	Davoust
Princesse Marie de Gonzague	première chanteuse falcon	Chevrier
Marion Delorme	première chanteuse légère	Frank-Duvernoy
Ninon de l'Enclos	soprano	Périer